And now for some real reality tv

Growing up in India would have its challenges I suspect. Especially if you have the misfortune of being dubbed a “good luck baby”.

I have no words.

Another candidate for the Darwin Awards

Not heard of the Darwin Awards? These are for people who remove themselves from the gene pool voluntarily by accidentally killing themselves in stupid ways.

Now Father Carli has not been declared dead yet and as a Roman Catholic Priest you would have to say that he’s already voluntarily removed himself from the gene pool…

The last time he was spotted he was floating south east over the Atlantic… he did have a satellite phone and GPS with him. Unfortunately the batteries died as he admitted to potential rescuers that ah… he was having difficulty using his GPS. Problemo.

They have found some of the balloons.

Watch a video.

Lets hope he’s okay.

Finding out about Zimbabwe

What do I know of Zimbabwe? Not much.

I know Mugabe is corrupt. That hundreds of white farmers have relocated to Perth, that the elderly white people who can’t relocate are in dire need. That the recent election is a mess. (could that be the understatement of the year?)

I don’t know much about Zimbabwe.

But The Poshi does. And she urged me to follow this link. [Warning: some of the images are distressing]

And sent me this mp3 to listen to - a spoof from a south African radio station – It’s a must listen.

photo credit: sara.atkins

It’s a croc!

I don’t mean to be judgemental but what were was the New Zealand Olympic Committee thinking?

Crocs? As part of the official uniform?

They are not even from New Zealand!

Okay I know I own a pair but I wouldn’t wear them to an occasion!

Would you run in the torch relay?

Groover asked me the other day: “If I’d been selected to run in the Olympic Torch Relay in Canberra - would I pull out?” and it’s a question that has been plaguing me all week.

I imagine the thrill of being asked. The honour. The excitement of representing my chosen field, my family, my country, my Olympic representatives - the athletes who have trained so hard and for so long - in such a public event.

Then the dilemma. Does running mean that I support China’s action in Tibet? And if it does, can I live with myself if I run?

And then the horror of watching the other relays - in London, in Paris, in San Franscisco - and the debacle they’ve turned into. Watching other runners being caught up in the protest. Being attacked.

Being shoved into a warehouse as organisers try and work out what to do next.

Being surrounded by a phalanx of secret service guards.

Where is the honour in that? Where is the glory? Where is the pride?

So imagine. You’re sitting at home watching the news on the telly. Your torch relay uniform, clean and sparkling new is in its box. Your brand new sandshoes gleam. And you, with your heart in your mouth, have to decide whether you’ll take part.

It’s easy to say “No I won’t take part” from your lounge room when you don’t have to make that decision but if you were actually in those gleaming new sandshoes… would you withdraw?

I am torn on this question.

What I will say on behalf of those who decided to run is that at least they have provided a very public platform for the protesters.

What about our athletes? Do they boycott? What difference would it really make? Did boycotting Moscow back in 1980 really achieve all that much? Could you turn your back on four years of training, of dreams?

Sport and politics should not mix. Is that possible in the real world?

And so we get to Kevin Rudd, our Mandarin-speaking Prime Minister. Is telling the Chinese that he doesn’t agree with what they’ve done in Tibet enough?

Does he have to turn his back on the Olympic Games now?

Does he risk Australia’s relationship with China?

I’m sure of my response here. I’m afraid the answer is yes. I know we might risk our trade and that our resources boom is largely dependent on China. But greed cannot trump human rights.

So in summary: I think I would run in the relay as it is a great forum for the Tibetans to make their protest. I don’t think athletes should boycott the games, after all we don’t expect our companies to give up their trade contracts. And at this stage I think Kevin Rudd should consider not going to the Games although, I can’t imagine the Chinese would care if he were there or not.

Your thoughts?

photo credit: Monster Pete

2020 - I’m just not engaged

No, not the cricket game… the 2020 Summit!

(I bet John Howard wishes it were a cricket game…)

Yeah the summit. Where 1000 Australians will discuss matters of import such as:
* Productivity Agenda - education, skills, training, science and innovation
* Australian Economy - the future of the Australian economy
* Sustainability and Climate Change - population, sustainability, climate change and water
* Rural Australia - future directions for rural industries and rural communities
* Health - a long-term national health strategy – including the challenges of preventative health, workforce planning and the ageing population
* Communities and Families - strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion
* Indigenous Australia - options for the future of Indigenous Australia
* Creative Australia - towards a creative Australia: the future of the arts, film and design
* Australian Governance - the future of Australian governance: renewed democracy, a more open government (including the role of the media), the structure of the Federation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens
* Australia’s Future in the World - Australia’s future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world

*yawn*

Sorry, where were we?

Yeah the summit. I don’t know why but this one just hasn’t captured my imagination. I’m sure it’s all very worthy. I’m sure some good stuff will come out of it. Eventually. I’m not saying it shouldn’t go ahead. But… I’m not excited.

And if that makes me a head-in-the-sand, political neophyte who couldn’t give a toss about the future of this great country… well.

Bugger.

Because I wish I were more engaged! I wish I did care a little more. I wish I had time to read the briefing papers and think about the issues involved. To have my say. To stand up and make a difference.

Maybe, you just have to be there.

Maybe that’s one good reason why I’m not.

Rainy day in paradise

I’m not one to complain - wait… yes I am - anyway today it’s the first real day post daylight savings and I must say… I miss it!

It’s SO dark SO early. I feel like I’ve stepped from summer to winter in one fell swoop.

Of course it wasn’t helped by the fact that it was a rainy rainy day thanks to Cyclone Pancho. (31.6 mm since 9am this morning)

Maximum temp in my suburb of 16C (what’s that about? - this is Perth people!).

I got home from work, cold, sniffly and waited no more than two seconds before slipping off my sandals for my trusty ugg boots. I love you my ugg boots… smooches.

We had pasta for dinner and now I feel back in the land of the living - should be mostly fine tomorrow and yes, alright… we need the rain.

One thing that really cheered me up was the fact that South Park is now online - although sadly, not yet in Australia.

A smoky drive home

Tuesday night, and as I leave Bunbury on my way back to Perth I see a thick cloud of smoke…

In fact there are two fires and the helitacs - or whatever those fixed wing planes that drop water on fires are called - were flying between the two.

An hour later driving through Mandurah I see another thick plume of smoke. This time it’s in Port Kennedy so for the first time in my life I decide to turn into Secret Harbour… shhhhhh.

There, I join a bunch of locals on a low ridge and watch the flames as the bushfire burns through 500ha of Scientific Park.

It was a serious fire and some homes were evacuated, though in the end no houses or lives were lost. An interesting side story was that the park had been a bombing range in world war 2 and there is unexploded ordinance through the park. Firefighters had to stick to the existing tracks.

Meanwhile my photo journalism over, I was stuck in Secret Harbour. I’d got disorientated and spent twenty minutes driving into cul-de-sacs.

I can’t express adequately my delight at finally finding the highway home.

w00t.

What is the point of mounted police?

Coming home today I round the corner and was taken aback to see two police officers astride horses, clopping down the street. We all stopped at the cross roads and they politely waved me on, I turned right, and they proceeded to cross the road disappearing from my rear view mirror.

It’s an inner city suburb. I suppose there is some street crime. I’m not aware that it’s a particular hotspot at 5pm in full sunlight but I’m not regularly checking into it.

To be honest, I wonder at the value of the mounted police. The horses are lovely but really how effective are they? The police say that it has reduced crime in some areas by up to 50%. Really? Show me the figures.

I get how they could be useful in crowd control situations, and possibly searching in the bush for missing persons, but inner city or suburban crime?

Prove me wrong if you know different… I’d like to be convinced. :)

Just a note on Generation Y

Is anyone really surprised by this news?

A survey has revealed two thirds of West Australian graduate teachers plan to leave the profession within 10 years. (ABC News)

Now I have nothing against teachers. I am VERY grateful they have chosen the profession they are in. Very. Grateful.

To me, this story is just a beat-up by the Australian Education Union (who did the survey) to push teachers’ salaries up.

I would wager that most graduate teachers are in Generation Y.

Generation Y are known for changing jobs often:

…new job entrants are changing careers faster than college students change their majors, creating frustration for employers struggling to retain and recruit talented high-performers. (USA Today)

Generation Y consider five years a long time to stay with one employer:

Almost half of baby boomers believe they should stay in a job with the one employer for at least five years, but only a quarter of Gen Ys would consider such a long stay. (Herald Sun)

Generation Y want to keep their options open:

Four out of 10 respondents said they plan to stay at their job up to two years; only one in five foresees staying at his/her current job six years or longer. (SmartPros)

Is it any wonder then that two thirds of graduate teachers plan to leave the profession after ten years?

No. It isn’t.

Of course the Education Department aren’t let off the hook.

Generation Y are also known to be very demanding on employers, expecting new opportunities, training, and interesting work.

The department can’t just shove a Gen Y teacher into some outpost and expect them to stay there forever - or even more than a year. Certainly not without thinking about expanding that teacher’s horizons.

This is the commercial world we live in and the Education Department needs to think seriously about changing its practices to keep up with the times.

A recent APM Training Institute survey found most workers aged 18 to 29 expected travel opportunities, further training and social events as part of their employment packages.

It found many Gen Y workers also expected cash bonuses, health insurance and rostered days off. (Herald Sun)

That is the real story here. Long gone are the days where teaching was just a vocation.

photo credit: ephotography

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