back later in the week
* not really.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
happy days
the day before yesterday, princess and i had a bath together. it must be over a year since we did that. the bathroom got all steamy and we laughed about how we weren't really fitting in that well together until we found a position where my legs were over the edge and she was half lying on me.
then i read her storm boy. my mum had given it to her for her birthday, and had prophetically bought it before colin thiele died.
what a magnificent story it is.
this is a 40th anniversary edition, and has a section in the middle with illustrations.
when i got to the part where storm boy releases messers proud, ponder and percival as he and his father can't afford to keep feeding them, i cried. then of course mr percival flies back to them, and stays with storm boy and hide-away tom, his father.
princess stood up while i read and wrote in the steam on the mirror
I HEART MUM
X O X O
we haven't finished it yet, but we sat there in the bath, for over an hour, putting more hot water in, and letting some out, until we were wrinkly and overheated. princess hasn't asked me to finish it, i think because she smells a sad ending. she gets so into the story it really upsets her when sad things happen. so she likes to put them off.
then yesterday we went into the ngv for some art. we saw the picasso exhibition, we wandered, me loving the way princess goes so close up to the pieces that i just wait for a guard to tell her off. i stop myself from telling her to move back, i want her to get close, to really see what's in front of her. i love that she's interested. i love that she predictably says that "i could do that!". we marvel at how guernica evolved, we are interested in the negative photographic prints of picasso, taken by dora maar. we smile over the scraps of notes and doodles that are displayed, especially the small piece of paper with dora, dora, dora written on it over, and over, and over.
i love the holiday movie, taken when a group of them were somewhere warm and relaxed. picasso clowning around.
but we both agree that his art is not to our taste.
we check out the rembrandt sketches. she gets bored.
we look at a few rooms of european art. i get teary over a couple, particularly the one with the mother sheep standing over her dead lamb, the crows circling them. also the beauty of the potato picker's face. i stand under her. she is glorious, with a little beauty mark that makes me think of the same mark on the face of my daughter.
and finally. i saw on sunday al gore's movie, an inconvenient truth.
i want you all to go and see it.
then i read her storm boy. my mum had given it to her for her birthday, and had prophetically bought it before colin thiele died.
what a magnificent story it is.
this is a 40th anniversary edition, and has a section in the middle with illustrations.
when i got to the part where storm boy releases messers proud, ponder and percival as he and his father can't afford to keep feeding them, i cried. then of course mr percival flies back to them, and stays with storm boy and hide-away tom, his father.
princess stood up while i read and wrote in the steam on the mirror
I HEART MUM
X O X O
we haven't finished it yet, but we sat there in the bath, for over an hour, putting more hot water in, and letting some out, until we were wrinkly and overheated. princess hasn't asked me to finish it, i think because she smells a sad ending. she gets so into the story it really upsets her when sad things happen. so she likes to put them off.
then yesterday we went into the ngv for some art. we saw the picasso exhibition, we wandered, me loving the way princess goes so close up to the pieces that i just wait for a guard to tell her off. i stop myself from telling her to move back, i want her to get close, to really see what's in front of her. i love that she's interested. i love that she predictably says that "i could do that!". we marvel at how guernica evolved, we are interested in the negative photographic prints of picasso, taken by dora maar. we smile over the scraps of notes and doodles that are displayed, especially the small piece of paper with dora, dora, dora written on it over, and over, and over.
i love the holiday movie, taken when a group of them were somewhere warm and relaxed. picasso clowning around.
but we both agree that his art is not to our taste.
we check out the rembrandt sketches. she gets bored.
we look at a few rooms of european art. i get teary over a couple, particularly the one with the mother sheep standing over her dead lamb, the crows circling them. also the beauty of the potato picker's face. i stand under her. she is glorious, with a little beauty mark that makes me think of the same mark on the face of my daughter.
and finally. i saw on sunday al gore's movie, an inconvenient truth.
i want you all to go and see it.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
and she cooks a cake
it's ten years ago today since i squeezed out my precious one.
i'm feeling all martha stewart, with baking and whatnot for a family dinner tonight.
but i bet martha never had to gaffa tape her oven closed, did she?
other domestic news:
IF THERE IS BLUE CASTELLO IN THE FRIDGE, BY GOD IT SHALL BE EATEN.
that is all.
have a loverly, sunny day.
i'm feeling all martha stewart, with baking and whatnot for a family dinner tonight.
but i bet martha never had to gaffa tape her oven closed, did she?
other domestic news:
IF THERE IS BLUE CASTELLO IN THE FRIDGE, BY GOD IT SHALL BE EATEN.
that is all.
have a loverly, sunny day.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
some random sunday thoughts
this morning i woke up thinking about germaine greer and the whole steve irwin controversy that she sparked with her newspaper article. i was wondering why it is that so many people hate her. why do we fear the greer?
this is a theme that i visited early on in this blog's life, with a promise that i would write something on it. germaine has long been a prickly figure, who seems to make everyone pissed off when she opens her mouth. i want to explore the reasons why this might be, and why she seems to have the status of someone who's embarrassing and you roll your eyes whenever she publishes. it reminds me a bit of the former saint helen de garner who fell from the pedestal when she published the first stone. it became apparent to me how much vitriolic reaction she was attracting because of it when i was at a party and tried to discuss the book with some friends. they were all most hateful, and totally condemned her, while i said things like, well she tackled a difficult subject, she admitted her weaknesses and was brutally honest, not the least with herself and i love her candour. but no one would give me an inch. and when i asked, none of them had read the book.
i started writing the greer thing this morning, on my laptop in bed, feeling like carrie. then i got out of bed, had some toast and then john returned back from a trip out to get a birthday present for princess (next tuesday everyone. TEN YEARS OLD.) he brought the papers home with him.
i had a quick look at the front page of the age, and wondered why my reaction to peter brock's death has been so neutral verging on not-much-sympathy, in comparison to the croc man's death, where i felt sorry enough to encourage the kids to write cards to bindi.
i can say what the reason was. put simply, brock recently left his partner of more than 25 years. i'm being a hypocrite when i say that i felt sorry for steve because although he was flawed, you could say he had a good heart and was a very authentic "bloke." but why am i more accepting of his flaws (which were kind of in the "tool" basket) than brock's?
we are all flawed human beings, but i guess we tolerate some flaws more readily than others.
then, also on the front page, there's an article, small, bottom left corner, reporting that THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SADDAM HAD ANY CONNECTIONS TO AL-QAEDA.
let me ask you a question. did you at any time think there were links? why did you think that?
when i disussed it with john a while ago, with me saying, and there's no evidence that saddam was connected to al-qaeda, he said oh, i thought there was.
so people obviously thought there was. because it had been suggested, repeated, by governments around the world, the media dutifully reported what the pollies said, and just like that, with a wave of the wand and a shower of glittery stuff, an idea is planted, and grows in the public's mind. if you read the news thoroughly and follow stories, you can get a glimmer of what might be the truth. but if you rely on talk with others, and reading headlines and/or first paragraph stuff, then you are missing out. likewise if you read the herald-sun. i also think that the australian, being a murdoch paper, is much more tabloidy and less solid than people realise. the australian has the formerly-deserved reputation of being the most high-brow, generalist paper available in melbourne, which i think is bunkum. it's getting more low-brow by the day. look at their selection of images, and their use of headlines and you'll see what i mean.
i couldn't read the article in full, i was already feeling the pain. then i turned the page, and there's an article about a school reference book which contains text about state-sponsored or organised terrorism, with mention of the united states and israel amongst several other nations. and about how the government is demanding it be withdrawn from schools.
if this isn't attempted censorship, then what is?
if this isn't evidence that our government, like all governments around the world, is trying to creating its own history by taking certain perspectives, and by doing this, manipulating us, then what is?
i just had to leave the paper. i can't stand it. i just can't stand it. that people either can't see it, or just cry conspiracy theory when you try to talk about this sort of stuff.
does anyone share my brain ache about all this?
this is a theme that i visited early on in this blog's life, with a promise that i would write something on it. germaine has long been a prickly figure, who seems to make everyone pissed off when she opens her mouth. i want to explore the reasons why this might be, and why she seems to have the status of someone who's embarrassing and you roll your eyes whenever she publishes. it reminds me a bit of the former saint helen de garner who fell from the pedestal when she published the first stone. it became apparent to me how much vitriolic reaction she was attracting because of it when i was at a party and tried to discuss the book with some friends. they were all most hateful, and totally condemned her, while i said things like, well she tackled a difficult subject, she admitted her weaknesses and was brutally honest, not the least with herself and i love her candour. but no one would give me an inch. and when i asked, none of them had read the book.
i started writing the greer thing this morning, on my laptop in bed, feeling like carrie. then i got out of bed, had some toast and then john returned back from a trip out to get a birthday present for princess (next tuesday everyone. TEN YEARS OLD.) he brought the papers home with him.
i had a quick look at the front page of the age, and wondered why my reaction to peter brock's death has been so neutral verging on not-much-sympathy, in comparison to the croc man's death, where i felt sorry enough to encourage the kids to write cards to bindi.
i can say what the reason was. put simply, brock recently left his partner of more than 25 years. i'm being a hypocrite when i say that i felt sorry for steve because although he was flawed, you could say he had a good heart and was a very authentic "bloke." but why am i more accepting of his flaws (which were kind of in the "tool" basket) than brock's?
we are all flawed human beings, but i guess we tolerate some flaws more readily than others.
then, also on the front page, there's an article, small, bottom left corner, reporting that THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SADDAM HAD ANY CONNECTIONS TO AL-QAEDA.
let me ask you a question. did you at any time think there were links? why did you think that?
when i disussed it with john a while ago, with me saying, and there's no evidence that saddam was connected to al-qaeda, he said oh, i thought there was.
so people obviously thought there was. because it had been suggested, repeated, by governments around the world, the media dutifully reported what the pollies said, and just like that, with a wave of the wand and a shower of glittery stuff, an idea is planted, and grows in the public's mind. if you read the news thoroughly and follow stories, you can get a glimmer of what might be the truth. but if you rely on talk with others, and reading headlines and/or first paragraph stuff, then you are missing out. likewise if you read the herald-sun. i also think that the australian, being a murdoch paper, is much more tabloidy and less solid than people realise. the australian has the formerly-deserved reputation of being the most high-brow, generalist paper available in melbourne, which i think is bunkum. it's getting more low-brow by the day. look at their selection of images, and their use of headlines and you'll see what i mean.
i couldn't read the article in full, i was already feeling the pain. then i turned the page, and there's an article about a school reference book which contains text about state-sponsored or organised terrorism, with mention of the united states and israel amongst several other nations. and about how the government is demanding it be withdrawn from schools.
if this isn't attempted censorship, then what is?
if this isn't evidence that our government, like all governments around the world, is trying to creating its own history by taking certain perspectives, and by doing this, manipulating us, then what is?
i just had to leave the paper. i can't stand it. i just can't stand it. that people either can't see it, or just cry conspiracy theory when you try to talk about this sort of stuff.
does anyone share my brain ache about all this?
Thursday, September 07, 2006
the three things meme
sublime tagged me for this meme. so here it is.
1. Three things that scare me
- someone I love dying.
- spiders.
- the majority of the voting public of australia. hopefully, this is no longer a current concern.
2. Three people that make me laugh
- my brother.
- g.o.b. on arrested development.
- princess.
3. Three things I hate the most
- people who drive aggressively.
- people who abuse children, either mentally or physically.
- people who are intolerant of difference, ie racists.
4. Three things I don't understand
- maths beyond year 11 vegie-type.
- why the liberals got voted in again. this is not flippant. I really don’t get it.
- people who don't love reading.
5. Three things I'm doing right now*
- wearing new shoes which are blue, velvet, round-toed ballet flats. I am so pleased with myself.
- waiting for john to come home.
- feeling pretty damn good in my tight, mid-calf jeans.
6. Three things I want to do before I die
- finish writing a novel. just one of the fuckers. is that too much to ask?
- walk the bridle paths of england and scotland.
- become a grandmother.
7. Three things I can do
- ride a horse.
- make a fantastic vodka martini.
- tie a cherry stalk into a knot with my tongue.
only joking. i can't.
- what i can do is listen really well to your problems, and make you feel better.
8. Three ways to describe my personality
- introverted
- intense
- complicated
9. Three things I can't do
- SEW
- keep my mouth shut when I really should. i'm learning though.
- make pastry.
10. Three things I think you should listen to
- my ideas. all of them.
- oum khoulthoum, egyptian singer.
- all of evita, both albums. the version with julie covington.
11. Three things you should never listen to
- anyone who puts you down and tries to completely dismantle your self-esteem.
- howard and costello bagging muslims. and yes, that is what they are doing. you see, the more they can make you fearful and scared, the more they can control you. read 1984. go on.
-bad talk-back radio. just turn it off. same goes for shows like today tonight. they are messing with your mind.
12. Three things I'd like to learn
- how to play the piano.
- how to become more self-disciplined.
- more about australian indigenous culture.
13. Three favourite foods
- pasta
- ice cream
- seafood
14. Three beverages I drink regularly
- water
- wine
- coffee
15. Three shows I watched as a kid
- i dream of jeannie. i wanted to be jeannie.
- get smart.
- the partridge family.
16. Three people I'm tagging
bevis
clokes
i’m not craig
* these were all true when I wrote this the other day. but they are not true now.
so an update of this question:
three things I am doing now.
- procrastinating about doing work.
- wondering how much it's going to rain on saturday and how that will affect princess and her birthday party.
- trying to remember I have the dog-washer coming to make gigi a beautiful, fresh-smelling pooch at 2.30 today.
1. Three things that scare me
- someone I love dying.
- spiders.
- the majority of the voting public of australia. hopefully, this is no longer a current concern.
2. Three people that make me laugh
- my brother.
- g.o.b. on arrested development.
- princess.
3. Three things I hate the most
- people who drive aggressively.
- people who abuse children, either mentally or physically.
- people who are intolerant of difference, ie racists.
4. Three things I don't understand
- maths beyond year 11 vegie-type.
- why the liberals got voted in again. this is not flippant. I really don’t get it.
- people who don't love reading.
5. Three things I'm doing right now*
- wearing new shoes which are blue, velvet, round-toed ballet flats. I am so pleased with myself.
- waiting for john to come home.
- feeling pretty damn good in my tight, mid-calf jeans.
6. Three things I want to do before I die
- finish writing a novel. just one of the fuckers. is that too much to ask?
- walk the bridle paths of england and scotland.
- become a grandmother.
7. Three things I can do
- ride a horse.
- make a fantastic vodka martini.
- tie a cherry stalk into a knot with my tongue.
only joking. i can't.
- what i can do is listen really well to your problems, and make you feel better.
8. Three ways to describe my personality
- introverted
- intense
- complicated
9. Three things I can't do
- SEW
- keep my mouth shut when I really should. i'm learning though.
- make pastry.
10. Three things I think you should listen to
- my ideas. all of them.
- oum khoulthoum, egyptian singer.
- all of evita, both albums. the version with julie covington.
11. Three things you should never listen to
- anyone who puts you down and tries to completely dismantle your self-esteem.
- howard and costello bagging muslims. and yes, that is what they are doing. you see, the more they can make you fearful and scared, the more they can control you. read 1984. go on.
-bad talk-back radio. just turn it off. same goes for shows like today tonight. they are messing with your mind.
12. Three things I'd like to learn
- how to play the piano.
- how to become more self-disciplined.
- more about australian indigenous culture.
13. Three favourite foods
- pasta
- ice cream
- seafood
14. Three beverages I drink regularly
- water
- wine
- coffee
15. Three shows I watched as a kid
- i dream of jeannie. i wanted to be jeannie.
- get smart.
- the partridge family.
16. Three people I'm tagging
bevis
clokes
i’m not craig
* these were all true when I wrote this the other day. but they are not true now.
so an update of this question:
three things I am doing now.
- procrastinating about doing work.
- wondering how much it's going to rain on saturday and how that will affect princess and her birthday party.
- trying to remember I have the dog-washer coming to make gigi a beautiful, fresh-smelling pooch at 2.30 today.
Monday, September 04, 2006
put simply
who is the best hairdresser in melbourne?
apologies to male readers who have recently started joining me here. if you are going to hang out at all with me, you need to just put up with my occasional girly-whinges. bevis copes, i don't know, maybe you could email him for tips.
no, i really want to know. who is the best?
i think i have come up with a "final solution" for my hair. readers who have been with me for a while will know of my hair iss-ews.
think phyllis diller on a good day.
no. it's not that bad.
[laughs]
i embrace its "volume" and ignore the "strength"*
hairdressers have told me they have never seen such thick hair. the most direct one, a man but not gay, told me it's like horse's hair. i laughed it off but inside, yes i died a little. they have fucked up the colouring, they have fucked up the cutting, they have complained about the weight of it, the way they always run out of colour and have to re-load the little trolley.
i have had a brilliant idea about what to do with it, which i will keep to myself for the moment.
but can you tell me?
who is the best hairdresser in melbourne?
i don't care about cost. i need someone who can take me in their capable, professional, experienced hands, and tell me, nay assure me, they won't fuck up my hair when i explain to them my bold plan.
other bits and pieces:
1. what do you say to an-almost-ten-year-old child when they tell you they want to make their will, and want their "body to be burned" and half the ashes to be scattered at a particular park in istanbul and the other half "you can keep, mummy."
2. what the fuck are howard and costello on about with their fomenting of fear of muslims etc?
3. does fomenting mean what i think it means? i can't be bothered looking it up.
4. are optus going to charge me another late-payment fee, because now i haven't paid the last late-payment fee by the due time?
5. i confess to being possibly the only person who has never, until now, watched an entire ep. of sex in the city. you see, i read about it when it was headed our way, in um around 1998? and rubbed my hands together and cackled at the thought of it, knowing i would adore it. then i went overseas and they didn't have it on the tv where i went. when i came back a year later my world had been turned upside down, and i'd missed a year's worth of shows. the other night we got the first shows on dvd. i am really really loving it.
6. princess has gone to camp. for two nights. it'll be a piece of cake considering how i coped in january. remember those days, dear readers?
7. removed
8. i went out with a group of girlfriends on friday night. we ate indian and then went to a bar. our bar bill was $460. we were only slightly out of control. only one of us vomitted the next day and it wasn't me. i had to co-host an 8th birthday party. boys. football. say no more.
9. i'm cooking spaghetti bolognaise tonight. i'm off wheat and dairy, but the soy milk looked very strange in my coffee this morning. we'll see how long it lasts.
* euphemism for "similar to horse's hair"
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