George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?
Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That's what I want to know.
Condi: That's what I'm telling you.
George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow's name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The Chinaman!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now what are you asking me for?
Condi: I'm telling you, Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That's the man's name.
George: That's whose name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East.
Condi: That's correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look, Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don't want Kofi.
George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N.
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China.
George: Will you stay out of China?!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone.
(Condi picks up the phone.)
Condi: Rice, here.
George: Rice? Good idea. And a couple of egg rolls, too. Maybe we should send some to the guy in China. And the Middle East. Can you get Chinese food in the Middle East?
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
This is the building I work in:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1815072.htm
Did I mention in my blog yesterday that I got a raise after coming back to work from calling in sick for 4 day?
Well, I did.
Only 2 days left...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1815072.htm
Did I mention in my blog yesterday that I got a raise after coming back to work from calling in sick for 4 day?
Well, I did.
Only 2 days left...
temporary
I am a temp.
“Yeah, big deal Nicole. Nobody cares.”
I know. Lots of people temp. Lots of people temp regularly. I didn’t want to be that person, but it appears that without trying I have been a temp on and off for the past 7 years of my life. That actually adds up to having temping be something I’ve done more than anything else. Depressing really.
So how did I get drawn in. I need money. Everyone knows that finding a job is hell. The temp agencies take care of everything. The pay, the interview, arranging a time. Too easy. Right?
Let me take you through a typical day.
I get in to the ‘office’ (a computer lab at RMIT that is closed while we’re there) at about 9:05ish. I then check my email and read Google News. At around 9:15/20ish I go up and get my work for the first part of the day. I then come back to my desk, read some more news, see if anyone interesting is online and briefly search for jobs. After I’ve done this for another 5-10 minutes, I get up and make a cup of tea. I then wait for the tea bag to infuse and wonder around for another 5 minutes or so blowing on my tea trying to cool it down.
I begin doing actual work at about 9:45ish. I enroll students for their courses. It’s amazingly boring and right now they don’t have enough work for all the temps they hired, so the longer I take to add the students, the longer I get to stay at work and be paid.
Anyway, between checking my email, reading the news, wondering around making tea and going to the bathroom, I probably only do real work for about an hour a day.
What you may be saying to yourself right now is something along the lines of, “Well Nicole, that’s why you’re a temp.” But really it’s not my fault. If they had work for me to do, I’d be happy to do it quickly and efficiently. If it’s a job I enjoy doing, no worries. I love doing work that is interesting. Or where I feel I’m actually accomplishing something.
This doesn’t really happen in temp jobs. So, if any potential employers are reading this, don’t worry, I work hard. Look at my resume, I have to. Unless you plan on giving me mindless data entry work to do, then I might not work so hard. And, I wouldn’t have applied to you through anything but a temp agency at that point anyway.
Whatever, this assignment was supposed to be four weeks long. We had four days of training the first week. The second week I missed four day because I had a conference in Canberra I got a scholarship for (so really I can’t complain much since they let me come back to work after calling in sick for 4 days.) This past week was boring, and I already finished off Monday and Tuesday. They told most of the people not to come in tomorrow, but I stuck around long enough so they found something for me to do tomorrow and the rest of the week. And we have a half-day of work on Friday. So really, I only have two and a half days left.
I can live with that.
*Christ, I was just reading this over and realized that if a potential employer ever came across this blog, I should be worried about a lot more than this post. Oh well. Laugh employer, laugh. You know you want to. Not at me, dear god not at me, but at life.
“Yeah, big deal Nicole. Nobody cares.”
I know. Lots of people temp. Lots of people temp regularly. I didn’t want to be that person, but it appears that without trying I have been a temp on and off for the past 7 years of my life. That actually adds up to having temping be something I’ve done more than anything else. Depressing really.
So how did I get drawn in. I need money. Everyone knows that finding a job is hell. The temp agencies take care of everything. The pay, the interview, arranging a time. Too easy. Right?
Let me take you through a typical day.
I get in to the ‘office’ (a computer lab at RMIT that is closed while we’re there) at about 9:05ish. I then check my email and read Google News. At around 9:15/20ish I go up and get my work for the first part of the day. I then come back to my desk, read some more news, see if anyone interesting is online and briefly search for jobs. After I’ve done this for another 5-10 minutes, I get up and make a cup of tea. I then wait for the tea bag to infuse and wonder around for another 5 minutes or so blowing on my tea trying to cool it down.
I begin doing actual work at about 9:45ish. I enroll students for their courses. It’s amazingly boring and right now they don’t have enough work for all the temps they hired, so the longer I take to add the students, the longer I get to stay at work and be paid.
Anyway, between checking my email, reading the news, wondering around making tea and going to the bathroom, I probably only do real work for about an hour a day.
What you may be saying to yourself right now is something along the lines of, “Well Nicole, that’s why you’re a temp.” But really it’s not my fault. If they had work for me to do, I’d be happy to do it quickly and efficiently. If it’s a job I enjoy doing, no worries. I love doing work that is interesting. Or where I feel I’m actually accomplishing something.
This doesn’t really happen in temp jobs. So, if any potential employers are reading this, don’t worry, I work hard. Look at my resume, I have to. Unless you plan on giving me mindless data entry work to do, then I might not work so hard. And, I wouldn’t have applied to you through anything but a temp agency at that point anyway.
Whatever, this assignment was supposed to be four weeks long. We had four days of training the first week. The second week I missed four day because I had a conference in Canberra I got a scholarship for (so really I can’t complain much since they let me come back to work after calling in sick for 4 days.) This past week was boring, and I already finished off Monday and Tuesday. They told most of the people not to come in tomorrow, but I stuck around long enough so they found something for me to do tomorrow and the rest of the week. And we have a half-day of work on Friday. So really, I only have two and a half days left.
I can live with that.
*Christ, I was just reading this over and realized that if a potential employer ever came across this blog, I should be worried about a lot more than this post. Oh well. Laugh employer, laugh. You know you want to. Not at me, dear god not at me, but at life.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Melbourne Sun
There have been many bushfires around Melbourne lately. We had a really dry winter and now we're paying. I'm not sure many people in the world realise this, but Australia burns down every year. This year is particularly bad, but nonetheless, it's not a surprise. This isn't my picture - mine aren't as good, but this is what it looked like for days. The city was so smokey it was unbelievable. Almost like I was back in China. Almost.
I haven't been blogging much. This is probably due to a number of reasons, namely, I'm lazy. However, as you can see from my previous post, I am still making my short films.
I've been forced to do what I said I'd never do again. No, I'm not teaching in China, I'm temping for a couple weeks. During the day I'm entering the data of thousands of entering students into the Royal Melbourne Institue of Technology (RMIT - the other/royal MIT).
Anyway, that's not bad. Just mindless motion and brain cells being sucked away by the hourly pay. However, on Wednesday I received a call from another temp agency asking if I was available that night. There was an election here a couple weeks ago and they needed a recount of ballots. Apparently the US isn't the only one who fucks up.
Anyway, I need the cash so I decided to go. I arrived at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. A building so awesome in it's sheer mass you are surprised the meer humans could have built it; however, given the lack of intricate design and aesthetic quality, it doesn't seem that difficult to conceive.
So I arrived at this massive building and followed the stream of temps down to the last and final "room" of the exhibition centre. I quote 'room' because it was the size of an airplane hanger. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Before we entered the room we were all forced to sit outside and wait until 6 o'clock. At 6 a woman from the Victoria Election Committee came out and asked all the data entry temps to line up. That wasn't me. They lined up and were taken into the massive 'room'.
We waited another 5 minutes or so and then the same woman came out and asked the rest of us to line up. The guy in front of me was drunk.
We filed into the hanger, signed our names on a piece of paper and then were shuffled through to some tables and told to find a seat if there was one available, otherwise, they'd find something else for us to do.
I found a seat.
There was an Irish girl who was already sitting when we arrived and looked up from her book when we sat down.
"Do you know what you're in for?" she asked.
Before we could reply she continued, "We've been sitting here for an hour and a half. We were counting for a bit then told to go on break, and now we've just been sitting here."
I didn't know what we were in for. I didn't know what counting votes entails. I just always took it for granted.
Anyway, they asked the temps who'd been sitting there for an hour to switch to a different table or go on break. Most of them just switched tables and the Irish girl was replaced by an Australian family.
Mother, father, daughter, daughter, son all sat across from me. Until that moment I wasn't aware that families registered together at temp agencies. And what a family. I could probably write a book on them, but I'll just keep it at this: They were a bit 'bogan'. If you don't know what that means, look it up.
Anyway, after a good 45 minutes (paid, thank god), the woman, I'll call her God, came up and gave us instructions for counting votes. We were to be handed a stack of 50 votes. We were first supposed to count to make sure there were 50 pieces of paper, and then go through to see that a 1, or check, or x was placed in the correct box. If not, they would take the ballot and replace it with one that was and so we'd have a stack of 50 votes for one party.
We were all given rubber thimbles and began. Sounds easy, right?
Well, it was, except for the scrutineers. What, you may ask, is a Scrutineer? Well, I'll tell you. They are volunteers for the various parties that walk around and have their say on whether the votes are being counted properly. They'd been there since 6 this morning and were not happy and were not getting paid hourly. I hate them. I understand thier function - fairness and all - but they're just annoying.
I got in a fight with one. The voter had clearly marked a one in the box and she was disputing it. She called over 4 different officers, we all argued over it, and then it was withdrawn to be further discussed.
Anyway, I was there until midnight. I took off at that point, I think others stayed until 4 in the morning, but I just wasn't committed to Australia's democracy on that level. Plus, I had to waste more brain cells at my other data entry job in the morning.
The moral of the story is that somewhere between the drunk guy and the scrutineer, I lost the little faith I had in democracy.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Democracy simply doesn't work.
I haven't been blogging much. This is probably due to a number of reasons, namely, I'm lazy. However, as you can see from my previous post, I am still making my short films.
I've been forced to do what I said I'd never do again. No, I'm not teaching in China, I'm temping for a couple weeks. During the day I'm entering the data of thousands of entering students into the Royal Melbourne Institue of Technology (RMIT - the other/royal MIT).
Anyway, that's not bad. Just mindless motion and brain cells being sucked away by the hourly pay. However, on Wednesday I received a call from another temp agency asking if I was available that night. There was an election here a couple weeks ago and they needed a recount of ballots. Apparently the US isn't the only one who fucks up.
Anyway, I need the cash so I decided to go. I arrived at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. A building so awesome in it's sheer mass you are surprised the meer humans could have built it; however, given the lack of intricate design and aesthetic quality, it doesn't seem that difficult to conceive.
So I arrived at this massive building and followed the stream of temps down to the last and final "room" of the exhibition centre. I quote 'room' because it was the size of an airplane hanger. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Before we entered the room we were all forced to sit outside and wait until 6 o'clock. At 6 a woman from the Victoria Election Committee came out and asked all the data entry temps to line up. That wasn't me. They lined up and were taken into the massive 'room'.
We waited another 5 minutes or so and then the same woman came out and asked the rest of us to line up. The guy in front of me was drunk.
We filed into the hanger, signed our names on a piece of paper and then were shuffled through to some tables and told to find a seat if there was one available, otherwise, they'd find something else for us to do.
I found a seat.
There was an Irish girl who was already sitting when we arrived and looked up from her book when we sat down.
"Do you know what you're in for?" she asked.
Before we could reply she continued, "We've been sitting here for an hour and a half. We were counting for a bit then told to go on break, and now we've just been sitting here."
I didn't know what we were in for. I didn't know what counting votes entails. I just always took it for granted.
Anyway, they asked the temps who'd been sitting there for an hour to switch to a different table or go on break. Most of them just switched tables and the Irish girl was replaced by an Australian family.
Mother, father, daughter, daughter, son all sat across from me. Until that moment I wasn't aware that families registered together at temp agencies. And what a family. I could probably write a book on them, but I'll just keep it at this: They were a bit 'bogan'. If you don't know what that means, look it up.
Anyway, after a good 45 minutes (paid, thank god), the woman, I'll call her God, came up and gave us instructions for counting votes. We were to be handed a stack of 50 votes. We were first supposed to count to make sure there were 50 pieces of paper, and then go through to see that a 1, or check, or x was placed in the correct box. If not, they would take the ballot and replace it with one that was and so we'd have a stack of 50 votes for one party.
We were all given rubber thimbles and began. Sounds easy, right?
Well, it was, except for the scrutineers. What, you may ask, is a Scrutineer? Well, I'll tell you. They are volunteers for the various parties that walk around and have their say on whether the votes are being counted properly. They'd been there since 6 this morning and were not happy and were not getting paid hourly. I hate them. I understand thier function - fairness and all - but they're just annoying.
I got in a fight with one. The voter had clearly marked a one in the box and she was disputing it. She called over 4 different officers, we all argued over it, and then it was withdrawn to be further discussed.
Anyway, I was there until midnight. I took off at that point, I think others stayed until 4 in the morning, but I just wasn't committed to Australia's democracy on that level. Plus, I had to waste more brain cells at my other data entry job in the morning.
The moral of the story is that somewhere between the drunk guy and the scrutineer, I lost the little faith I had in democracy.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Democracy simply doesn't work.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Free Willy
The whales are fighting back.
And really, I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner. You take them out of the lovely oceans, although they are becoming ever increasingly polluted, which are much nicer than the fishbowl they stick them in at sea world. All those noisy children with their sweet snacks, crying, laughing, pointing...
At least in the ocean, all you have to put up with is Greenpeace. I'm not sure, what's worse? Greenpeace or some fat kid hovering and staring with his ice cream?
I guess we all live in some kind of fishbowl.
I had some Chinese food earlier. It may or may not have contained msg.
By the way, I don't like Greenpeace, but I don't think I'll get into why in this blog.
And really, I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner. You take them out of the lovely oceans, although they are becoming ever increasingly polluted, which are much nicer than the fishbowl they stick them in at sea world. All those noisy children with their sweet snacks, crying, laughing, pointing...
At least in the ocean, all you have to put up with is Greenpeace. I'm not sure, what's worse? Greenpeace or some fat kid hovering and staring with his ice cream?
I guess we all live in some kind of fishbowl.
I had some Chinese food earlier. It may or may not have contained msg.
By the way, I don't like Greenpeace, but I don't think I'll get into why in this blog.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
the worst part is he didn't get the photo
I realize there was an election, and the Democrats finally have control of the house and most likely senate, and Rumsfeld has resigned - all of this I'm absolutely ecstatic about but,
how funny is this?
how funny is this?
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Come back Jon!
Well, it's a sad day for me today.
YouTube is no longer going to allow copyrighted material. Which is a shame. Where am I going to get my Daily Show from now? Although I hear you can get it from the Comedy Central webpage. But it's so funny. I can't wait until it's legally put up on the internet.
I think intellectual property should be free for all. Unless it's mine. Then you better pay up you stealing bastards.
YouTube is no longer going to allow copyrighted material. Which is a shame. Where am I going to get my Daily Show from now? Although I hear you can get it from the Comedy Central webpage. But it's so funny. I can't wait until it's legally put up on the internet.
I think intellectual property should be free for all. Unless it's mine. Then you better pay up you stealing bastards.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Monday, October 16, 2006
What's your number?
Number 300 Million: Latino newborn Los Angeles boy
I wonder what number I was. Of course number 200,000,000 went to Harvard. He had the perfect entrance essay. I wonder if 300,000,000 will be as successful? Maybe he'll move back to Mexico and change his citizenship. Ahh, the future. (and yes, I'm assuming 'Latino' means Mexican. Proove me wrong 300,000,000, prove me wrong. I hope that's what his parents named him.)
300,000,000 is a lot of people. Australia got excited when it hit 20,000,000 a couple years ago. That's less than tenth of my motherland and barely a fraction of China's 1,600,000,000. This may be the most amount of zeros I've blogged.
So the question is, if you take 300,000,000 and divide that by 1,600,000,000 and then divide 20,000,000 by the result, what do you get?
The Soa-Cah-Toa of my golden triangle.
I wonder what number I was. Of course number 200,000,000 went to Harvard. He had the perfect entrance essay. I wonder if 300,000,000 will be as successful? Maybe he'll move back to Mexico and change his citizenship. Ahh, the future. (and yes, I'm assuming 'Latino' means Mexican. Proove me wrong 300,000,000, prove me wrong. I hope that's what his parents named him.)
300,000,000 is a lot of people. Australia got excited when it hit 20,000,000 a couple years ago. That's less than tenth of my motherland and barely a fraction of China's 1,600,000,000. This may be the most amount of zeros I've blogged.
So the question is, if you take 300,000,000 and divide that by 1,600,000,000 and then divide 20,000,000 by the result, what do you get?
The Soa-Cah-Toa of my golden triangle.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Sticky Date Pudding Blog
Since I keep this one so up to date, Adam and I have started another blog:
http://sticky-date-pudding.blogspot.com/
Because the desert is so yummy and sticky. I love it and it's not even chocolate. Or cheese.
http://sticky-date-pudding.blogspot.com/
Because the desert is so yummy and sticky. I love it and it's not even chocolate. Or cheese.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah
Seriously though, this is pretty cool -
A chinese chick has beat Oprah and it's for doing something environmentally sound.
I am impressed.
A chinese chick has beat Oprah and it's for doing something environmentally sound.
I am impressed.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
sweet dreams
Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely insane every night of our lives.
- William Dement
- William Dement
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
puppetry of the penis
I normally try to avoid posting China stuff, but I just couldn't resist this one:
"...And does it have any particular potency? "No. People just like to order tiger to show off how much money they have."
Welcome to the People's Republic of China - tigers beware...
..."Oh yes," she adds, "the same group also ate an aborted reindeer foetus..."
But really though, if I still were in China, I'd be blocked from reading this BBC article.
(Also, I would like to not-so-subtly point out my tie in with Australia via my title.)
"...And does it have any particular potency? "No. People just like to order tiger to show off how much money they have."
Welcome to the People's Republic of China - tigers beware...
..."Oh yes," she adds, "the same group also ate an aborted reindeer foetus..."
But really though, if I still were in China, I'd be blocked from reading this BBC article.
(Also, I would like to not-so-subtly point out my tie in with Australia via my title.)
Saturday, September 23, 2006
My Summer Exercise
| So I've decided jogging is overrated and I urban acrobatics looks much more fun. I hope the music is playing the entire time I'm doing it. Do you think I should take a lesson first? | |
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
honor bound
A couple years ago, my rant de jour was that if America banned gay marriage in the constitution I would change my citizenship. Which is still true. But now that extends to the new interpretation of torture. Making someone feel as if they are almost drowing or freezing to death is so fucked up, that I shouldn't even have to write about how wrong it is. But yes, if that is allowed or continued to be allowed, I'm out.
Also, in semi-related news, I went to see the performance "Honour Bound" this past weekend. Absolutely stunning. If it leaves Australia, or if you're in the area, I highly recommend seeing it. It will never get to America though.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
I don't take these quizes until I get the answer I want
You Belong in San Francisco |
 You crave an eclectic, urban environment. You're half California, half NYC. You're open minded, tolerant, and secretly think you're the best. People may dismiss you as a hippie, but you're also progressive, interesting, and rich! |
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Soy Chai Latte
Is there anything better in terms of warm beverages? I don't think so. Maybe hot chocolate sometimes. Tea is good as a base, but it doesn't normally make me happy in a way chai or hot chocolate can. I don't drink coffee. I'm having a soy chai latte as I type this. And I'm reasonably happy.
Reasonably?
Well it is Sunday night and I have class and a meeting with my supervisor and I was just doing some assignments, etc. Which is all fine and good. I don't even know what I'm blogging anymore.
I hate when people blog about their actual boring lives. Like the fact that chai makes them happy and they're giving you an up-to-date account of what they're drinking at the moment. Fucking annoying.
I learned how to fold cranes. There will be a new release soon concerning that. If I get around to it. And I have another project I'm working on. But that one is taking a bit of time. Not much effort, but definitely a fair chunk of time. It may be released before the crane. It depends on if I get around to charging my batteries for my camera or not.
So anyway, other than that (just had another sip of chai, fyi) yeah class, etc. Planning a road trip at the end of the month. Not like I've been keeping this blog up to date (no -'s this time) or anything. So by reading this, all it looks like I'm doing is surfing youtube and torturing birds.
Pretty much.
I bet it would make you happy if you drank that.
Reasonably?
Well it is Sunday night and I have class and a meeting with my supervisor and I was just doing some assignments, etc. Which is all fine and good. I don't even know what I'm blogging anymore.
I hate when people blog about their actual boring lives. Like the fact that chai makes them happy and they're giving you an up-to-date account of what they're drinking at the moment. Fucking annoying.
I learned how to fold cranes. There will be a new release soon concerning that. If I get around to it. And I have another project I'm working on. But that one is taking a bit of time. Not much effort, but definitely a fair chunk of time. It may be released before the crane. It depends on if I get around to charging my batteries for my camera or not.
So anyway, other than that (just had another sip of chai, fyi) yeah class, etc. Planning a road trip at the end of the month. Not like I've been keeping this blog up to date (no -'s this time) or anything. So by reading this, all it looks like I'm doing is surfing youtube and torturing birds.
Pretty much.
I bet it would make you happy if you drank that.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Monday, July 24, 2006
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Reflecting
I was goign to try and make another short flick today called nicole walks through federation sqare to catch a tram but my camera ran out of batteries. Next time.
I believe I wrote a blog over a year ago about the powers of 10 movie. Well, in fed square today there was an exhibition on it. Which is a bit of a coincidence because I was talking about it the other day.
Sorry, that was a boring thing to write.
I'll come up with something more amusing:
Computer games don't affect kids. If Pacman would have affected us as children, we would now run around in darkened rooms, munching pills and listening to repetetive music.
I'm scared of ghosts too. And I think fruit gives me points and power.
I believe I wrote a blog over a year ago about the powers of 10 movie. Well, in fed square today there was an exhibition on it. Which is a bit of a coincidence because I was talking about it the other day.
Sorry, that was a boring thing to write.
I'll come up with something more amusing:
Computer games don't affect kids. If Pacman would have affected us as children, we would now run around in darkened rooms, munching pills and listening to repetetive music.
I'm scared of ghosts too. And I think fruit gives me points and power.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Chinese Sustainablity
I had something today - maybe not an epiphany, but something. Maybe a realization.
Anyway, I received an invitation to apply for the Asia-Pacific Leadership Program on Environment and Sustainable Development in Shanghai today. After seeing the cost as $2000 excluding airfare, I'm probably not going to apply.
But that wasn't my something. So I was reading the material wondering how China can portray itself as the leader of Environment and Sustainability in the Asia Pacific without any hint of flawed reasoning (I don't think that's the expression I want either.)
Anyway, the something I had was that this must be how people feel about America when we hold similar conferences. Pretty much, "God you're full of shit."
Anyway, I received an invitation to apply for the Asia-Pacific Leadership Program on Environment and Sustainable Development in Shanghai today. After seeing the cost as $2000 excluding airfare, I'm probably not going to apply.
But that wasn't my something. So I was reading the material wondering how China can portray itself as the leader of Environment and Sustainability in the Asia Pacific without any hint of flawed reasoning (I don't think that's the expression I want either.)
Anyway, the something I had was that this must be how people feel about America when we hold similar conferences. Pretty much, "God you're full of shit."
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Friday, June 16, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
the devoted few
hooty hoo hoo!!! i'm in america. vicky is blogging so i am too. i had a bit to drink tonight. i'm at josh's. i want to spell it joshes.
this makes no sense. fuckigna . boring.
i had a point to this. i don't remember what. something about life and what not.
saw an inconvenient truth. not bad.
we're all going to hell.
wait, i don't really believe it. ashes to asheas, dust to dust.
this makes no sense. fuckigna . boring.
i had a point to this. i don't remember what. something about life and what not.
saw an inconvenient truth. not bad.
we're all going to hell.
wait, i don't really believe it. ashes to asheas, dust to dust.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Okay, so the widget works, but 2 annoying things. There appears to be some wierd A squiggle thing after paragraphs, and I can't put on a title. Is it worth it? Possibly.
As you can see by my flickr photos, I've done some stuff. I went and saw some animals 2 weekends ago. Australian animals. Cool.
I went to a ball because I was peer pressured into it. For the Master's course I'm doing here, an MA in International Development and Environmental Analysis - MIDEA. That's what the ball was for. My dress was too big and kept slipping down. That's why I had the scarf on all night, to protect my boobies.
We went and saw my friend Steve spin at a cool bar afterwards. I had a drink called absinthe minded - guess what's in that. I was pretty drunk. Adam wasn't very drunk. So we left reasonable early, but Steve had stopped spinning anyway.
I didn't do much this past weekend. I went and ate Jamaican food on Friday. It was good. Goat and curry. And sticky date pudding, which is actually Australian, not Jamaican.
I just realized another annoying thing, this editor doesn't let you write much.
I also drew on my bed this weekend. In pencil. I'm not sure if I like it enough to ink it over.
Oh right, and my assignments...
As you can see by my flickr photos, I've done some stuff. I went and saw some animals 2 weekends ago. Australian animals. Cool.
I went to a ball because I was peer pressured into it. For the Master's course I'm doing here, an MA in International Development and Environmental Analysis - MIDEA. That's what the ball was for. My dress was too big and kept slipping down. That's why I had the scarf on all night, to protect my boobies.
We went and saw my friend Steve spin at a cool bar afterwards. I had a drink called absinthe minded - guess what's in that. I was pretty drunk. Adam wasn't very drunk. So we left reasonable early, but Steve had stopped spinning anyway.
I didn't do much this past weekend. I went and ate Jamaican food on Friday. It was good. Goat and curry. And sticky date pudding, which is actually Australian, not Jamaican.
I just realized another annoying thing, this editor doesn't let you write much.
I also drew on my bed this weekend. In pencil. I'm not sure if I like it enough to ink it over.
Oh right, and my assignments...
Alright, I'm going to see if this widget works, and if it does, MSGFX will have a come back. Mostly because I'm too lazy to open my webpage and edit the blog through the proper editor, and now I can just do it on my widgest. IF this works.
I have all my assignements due in the next two days. I think they're pretty much done, but I'm still goinng to procrastinate.
And, I don't even think I've blogged about what I'm doing anyway...
I have all my assignements due in the next two days. I think they're pretty much done, but I'm still goinng to procrastinate.
And, I don't even think I've blogged about what I'm doing anyway...
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
ciggies for health
The Chinese - always so innovative...
I swear to god, one day I'll actually write a real post in this blog again. I think about it sometimes, but then something comes up.
I swear to god, one day I'll actually write a real post in this blog again. I think about it sometimes, but then something comes up.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
comm games
So the Commonwealth Games are here in Melbourne (or about to start, I'm not entirely sure because I, like most the world, could really care less.) Anyway, if most of you are like me, and didn't realize that there actually were Commonwealth Games, there are. They're a chance for all the countries in the world that share Queen Elizabeth as their monarch to compete against each other. Or, as I like to think, a chance for all the countries that didn't just get medals in the Olympics to now compete for them. Of course, I haven't been able to tell anyone here that...
So anyway, Melboure is pretty excited about this. I was in the city this weekend and it almost felt like I was back in China. They had crossing guards at every light, holding the crowds back and directing them to cross at the correct time. The only difference was, they didn't have whistles, they smiled, and there is absolutely no need for them because everyone patiently waits at the crosswalk here and doesn't shove, cut and throw each other aside to cross the road.
Australia really is a cute country.
So one of the big controversies surrounding these games is that Melbourne has opted not to play 'God Save the Queen' at the ceremonies. This makes no sense. As I believe I wrote earlier, these games are a chance for all the countries in the world that share Queen Elizabeth as their monarch to compete against each other. I mean, the only thing the Commonwealth shares in common is the fact that they were all former colonies that opted against revolution from the English and, as a result, now have the same Queen (and yet somehow aren't colonies?) It's backwards, but if you're going to have an entire event surrounding this bond, you should probably recognize the one thing that ties you all together.
God Save that Queen.
So anyway, Melboure is pretty excited about this. I was in the city this weekend and it almost felt like I was back in China. They had crossing guards at every light, holding the crowds back and directing them to cross at the correct time. The only difference was, they didn't have whistles, they smiled, and there is absolutely no need for them because everyone patiently waits at the crosswalk here and doesn't shove, cut and throw each other aside to cross the road.
Australia really is a cute country.
So one of the big controversies surrounding these games is that Melbourne has opted not to play 'God Save the Queen' at the ceremonies. This makes no sense. As I believe I wrote earlier, these games are a chance for all the countries in the world that share Queen Elizabeth as their monarch to compete against each other. I mean, the only thing the Commonwealth shares in common is the fact that they were all former colonies that opted against revolution from the English and, as a result, now have the same Queen (and yet somehow aren't colonies?) It's backwards, but if you're going to have an entire event surrounding this bond, you should probably recognize the one thing that ties you all together.
God Save that Queen.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
sf
I am a San Francisco girl!
American Cities That Best Fit You: |
70% San Francisco |
65% Los Angeles |
65% San Diego | >
65% Washington, DC |
50% Chicago |
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
burqa
I'm sure many of you know that Australia isn't as sensitive to 'politically correct' statements as America. The Prime Minister, John Howard, is particularly conservative. He is now the longest running PM in Australia. He recently released a statement that Australians find the traditional garb of Muslim woman "confronting". But admitted he had no say over how people should dress.
Since I'm on the topic of Muslim women... A friend of mine told me about a clip from the movie Submission. It's worth a watch. This is the movie the film maker Theo van Gogh was assassinated over a couple years ago.
I tried to download the entire finished portion of the film but the only copy I could find had no sound and only German subtitles.
Since I'm on the topic of Muslim women... A friend of mine told me about a clip from the movie Submission. It's worth a watch. This is the movie the film maker Theo van Gogh was assassinated over a couple years ago.
I tried to download the entire finished portion of the film but the only copy I could find had no sound and only German subtitles.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Thunderbolt and lightening...
So I was out walking around yesterday in 90+ degree weather, this is pretty normal for an Australian summer so I didn't think much of it. I stopped at a cafe with a friend of mine to grab some lunch. As we were eating, storm clouds rushed in over the city and it started hailing. I was pretty impressed by this because I didn't think little ice balls could come out of heat. Anyway, that passed after a little bit and then the thunder and lightening started up and the rain started pouring down. The streets were flooded. I'd never seen anything like it before. Even when I was in the typhoon in Shanghai. It came out of nowhere. The water was a couple feet deep.
Anyway, it would stop for a couple minutes and then start up again. My friend and I tried to escape during this low. As we were trying to cross the street I attempted to jump across a puddle. I lost my flip-flop and it started floating down the street. So I had to run after it. I then lost my other flip-flop and had to run after that one. Cars were honking at me and everything. It was great. Anyway, after wading through the street for a minute or two I was totally soaked. It was pretty impressive.
Apparently this isn't an unusual occurrence. Supposedly floods like this happen all the time. I just tried to find a picture of yesterday and they're already all down. Passe news. I'm already too late.
Anyway, it would stop for a couple minutes and then start up again. My friend and I tried to escape during this low. As we were trying to cross the street I attempted to jump across a puddle. I lost my flip-flop and it started floating down the street. So I had to run after it. I then lost my other flip-flop and had to run after that one. Cars were honking at me and everything. It was great. Anyway, after wading through the street for a minute or two I was totally soaked. It was pretty impressive.
Apparently this isn't an unusual occurrence. Supposedly floods like this happen all the time. I just tried to find a picture of yesterday and they're already all down. Passe news. I'm already too late.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
no more monkeys...
I've come up with a sad reason to be out of China - other than the fact that everything is more expensive. I don't have as much to write about anymore.
I saw a BBC article on a Tiananmen Square activist and wanted to blog it but decided that I need a new theme.
Sure I still email close friends stories of Chinese kids jumping off their beds and falling out of windows but I feel like I shouldn't dwell on these things now that I'm no longer there.
So I need a new theme that incorporates casual references to my China hobby. Being an American abroad usually has some funny stories.
For example, today I received a phone call from my roommate. He and his coworkers were in a heated debate as to whether or not Hillary Clinton had a female lover. I was designated the "expert" assigned to answer the question since I'm American. I could of told them anything. I said I thought it was only suggested because she was a female politician that went to a pretty lesbian school, but there was no proof.
See, I can still be stereotypical.
So anyway, I'll work on a theme.
I saw a BBC article on a Tiananmen Square activist and wanted to blog it but decided that I need a new theme.
Sure I still email close friends stories of Chinese kids jumping off their beds and falling out of windows but I feel like I shouldn't dwell on these things now that I'm no longer there.
So I need a new theme that incorporates casual references to my China hobby. Being an American abroad usually has some funny stories.
For example, today I received a phone call from my roommate. He and his coworkers were in a heated debate as to whether or not Hillary Clinton had a female lover. I was designated the "expert" assigned to answer the question since I'm American. I could of told them anything. I said I thought it was only suggested because she was a female politician that went to a pretty lesbian school, but there was no proof.
See, I can still be stereotypical.
So anyway, I'll work on a theme.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
to my child...
For some reason, I still actually get emails like this:
>
>
>
>BE SURE AND READ THE VERY LAST PART !
>
>Please read and forward to as many people as you can. You'll
>understand after reading this.
>
>To My Child (don't delete ~ its being tracked)
>
>Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face
>and laugh when I feel like crying.
>Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to
>wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
>Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and
>pick you up and take you to the park to play.
>Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and
>let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
>Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the
>computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles..
>Just for
>this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny
>grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will
>buy you one if he comes by.
>Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to
>be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where
>you are concerned.
>Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and
>I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
>Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us
>both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys..!
>Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a
>story about how you were born and how much I love you.
>Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not
>get angry.
>Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on
>the porch and count all the stars.
>Just for this evening, I
>will snuggle beside you for hours, and
>miss my favorite TV shows.
>Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as
>you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest
>gift ever given.
>I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for
>their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their
>children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who
>are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and
>screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.
>And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a
>little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him
>for nothing, except one more day..............
>
>Hi. I am a 29 year old father. Me and my wife have had a wonderful
>life together. God blessed us with a child too. Our
>daughter's name is
>Rachel, and she is 10 years old. Not long ago did the doctors detect
>brain cancer in her little body. There is only one way to save her and
>that is an operation. Sadly we don't have the money for the operation.
>AOL and Zdnet have agreed to help us. The only way they can help is
>this:
>If you send this email to other people, AOL will track this email
>and count how many people get it. Every person that opens this email and
>sends it to at least 3 people will give us 32c. Please help us. George
>Arlington
>
>-Pray for a Cure
>
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>----=
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>BE SURE AND READ THE VERY LAST PART !
>
>Please read and forward to as many people as you can. You'll
>understand after reading this.
>
>To My Child (don't delete ~ its being tracked)
>
>Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face
>and laugh when I feel like crying.
>Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to
>wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
>Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and
>pick you up and take you to the park to play.
>Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and
>let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
>Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the
>computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles..
>Just for
>this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny
>grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will
>buy you one if he comes by.
>Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to
>be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where
>you are concerned.
>Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and
>I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
>Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us
>both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys..!
>Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a
>story about how you were born and how much I love you.
>Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not
>get angry.
>Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on
>the porch and count all the stars.
>Just for this evening, I
>will snuggle beside you for hours, and
>miss my favorite TV shows.
>Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as
>you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest
>gift ever given.
>I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for
>their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their
>children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who
>are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and
>screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.
>And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a
>little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him
>for nothing, except one more day..............
>
>Hi. I am a 29 year old father. Me and my wife have had a wonderful
>life together. God blessed us with a child too. Our
>daughter's name is
>Rachel, and she is 10 years old. Not long ago did the doctors detect
>brain cancer in her little body. There is only one way to save her and
>that is an operation. Sadly we don't have the money for the operation.
>AOL and Zdnet have agreed to help us. The only way they can help is
>this:
>If you send this email to other people, AOL will track this email
>and count how many people get it. Every person that opens this email and
>sends it to at least 3 people will give us 32c. Please help us. George
>Arlington
>
>-Pray for a Cure
>
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>----=
>
>
>
>
Monday, February 20, 2006
milk bar
I was walking around downtown the other day when I was nearly hit in the head with metal bar. I looked around and realized I was in Chinatown. I quickly left the neighborhood. If only I had that option all of last year.
I had a bit of a big weekend. There was falling and glass and I was escorted out of a club.
When I first arrived in Melbourne I was excited to learn that there were Milk Bars everywhere. At first I thought it was just general enthusiasm for Stanley Kubrick's Clockwork Orange, but it's just what they call their convenience shops. I get a lot of cravings for milk.
I don't really have anything amazingly interesting to report. Life moves slower here than in China. This is good for me, but bad for this blog. I'll come up with something.
I think I forgot to report this, but when I was in Singapore I actually saw some people get their papers checked. I've never seen someone have their papers checked before. I wanted to take a picture, but then I thought I'd probably get my papers checked and I really didn't want to stay in Singapore for an extended period of time.
Singapore's not too bad. Very clean. You know the yellow line at train stations that you're not supposed to cross but everyone ignores? Well, not in Singapore. They actually fine you $500 for crossing the yellow line. Very orderly.
I had a bit of a big weekend. There was falling and glass and I was escorted out of a club.
When I first arrived in Melbourne I was excited to learn that there were Milk Bars everywhere. At first I thought it was just general enthusiasm for Stanley Kubrick's Clockwork Orange, but it's just what they call their convenience shops. I get a lot of cravings for milk.
I don't really have anything amazingly interesting to report. Life moves slower here than in China. This is good for me, but bad for this blog. I'll come up with something.
I think I forgot to report this, but when I was in Singapore I actually saw some people get their papers checked. I've never seen someone have their papers checked before. I wanted to take a picture, but then I thought I'd probably get my papers checked and I really didn't want to stay in Singapore for an extended period of time.
Singapore's not too bad. Very clean. You know the yellow line at train stations that you're not supposed to cross but everyone ignores? Well, not in Singapore. They actually fine you $500 for crossing the yellow line. Very orderly.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
burned
I'm sunburned in all the wrong places. I knew it was happening and I did nothing to stop it.
Which leads me to what I've been up to for the past couple days - laying on the beach. The weather has been really nice here and all I have is time. I start classes in a little over a week.
I did register for classes though. That was pretty odd. I'm a student again. It's a bit surreal actually. I didn't think it would be that strange. I got a whole bag full of goodies. It's weird.
Let's see... what else. This isn't China. I can't just rag on the local populace (I will eventually), I have to come up with something good.
The Melbourne film festival is on right now. I went and saw the Boys of Baraka. It's about this boarding school in Kenya where they send inner-city kids from Baltimore. It was ok. I think I was the only person in the theater that understood what was going on. They had to add subtitles for some of the American accents.
Anyway, I need to go apply aloe.
Which leads me to what I've been up to for the past couple days - laying on the beach. The weather has been really nice here and all I have is time. I start classes in a little over a week.
I did register for classes though. That was pretty odd. I'm a student again. It's a bit surreal actually. I didn't think it would be that strange. I got a whole bag full of goodies. It's weird.
Let's see... what else. This isn't China. I can't just rag on the local populace (I will eventually), I have to come up with something good.
The Melbourne film festival is on right now. I went and saw the Boys of Baraka. It's about this boarding school in Kenya where they send inner-city kids from Baltimore. It was ok. I think I was the only person in the theater that understood what was going on. They had to add subtitles for some of the American accents.
Anyway, I need to go apply aloe.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Melbourne
Well, I'm back.
I believe the last time I really wrote I was excited to leave China. I got out.
I'm sure nobody is reading this blog any more, but I'll try to keep writing.
Anyway, I'm in Melbourne now. After I left China I had a couple of days in San Francisco, then went to New York for about 5 days, came home to SLC for xmas, went to LA to bring in the New Year, sat around SLC for another couple weeks waiting on my visa, went back to SF for a day, on to Singapore for another day, was in Darwin for a couple days, and now I'm in Melbourne.
Since I've been here I've spent most of my time trying to find a place to live. I have one now. And after too many trips to IKEA I'm in a mostly furnished room. My room stinks like sand-colored IKEA cheap wood.
As someone pointed out - I'm on my way to a Fight Club reality.
This brings me to a conversation I had whilst in the US of A. I do enjoy going back to America for a bit. It's mostly a blur of random conversations, a bit of a waking life.
Anyway, I was at brunch with a good friend of mine and she was telling me how one of her friends ran into a mutual acquaintance at an AA meeting (this is in SLC, 1/3 of the people under 25 are in AA.) The odd thing about running into this acquaintance at the AA meeting was that the person actually never drank. She was just there because she was 're-establishing' her spiritual role in life.
Now, for anyone who's seen Fight Club, you'll remember that the guy starts going to AA and other support groups for something to do. He becomes addicted to support groups.
Maybe I'll pick that up. And then blow up the world.
Well anyway, I'm here in Melbourne for the next year and a half or so. I've been greeted with comments like, "American! Wow, that's like being born into slavery."
He later decided that wasn't the best analogy, but "You should get a disabled card when you travel..." was deemed fitting.
Wow, I'm finally American again, not just a first world country that a nation of people are aspiring to be. Well, at least I won't here about that for a while.
Okay, I'm not used to this blogging thing. Give me some time.
I believe the last time I really wrote I was excited to leave China. I got out.
I'm sure nobody is reading this blog any more, but I'll try to keep writing.
Anyway, I'm in Melbourne now. After I left China I had a couple of days in San Francisco, then went to New York for about 5 days, came home to SLC for xmas, went to LA to bring in the New Year, sat around SLC for another couple weeks waiting on my visa, went back to SF for a day, on to Singapore for another day, was in Darwin for a couple days, and now I'm in Melbourne.
Since I've been here I've spent most of my time trying to find a place to live. I have one now. And after too many trips to IKEA I'm in a mostly furnished room. My room stinks like sand-colored IKEA cheap wood.
As someone pointed out - I'm on my way to a Fight Club reality.
This brings me to a conversation I had whilst in the US of A. I do enjoy going back to America for a bit. It's mostly a blur of random conversations, a bit of a waking life.
Anyway, I was at brunch with a good friend of mine and she was telling me how one of her friends ran into a mutual acquaintance at an AA meeting (this is in SLC, 1/3 of the people under 25 are in AA.) The odd thing about running into this acquaintance at the AA meeting was that the person actually never drank. She was just there because she was 're-establishing' her spiritual role in life.
Now, for anyone who's seen Fight Club, you'll remember that the guy starts going to AA and other support groups for something to do. He becomes addicted to support groups.
Maybe I'll pick that up. And then blow up the world.
Well anyway, I'm here in Melbourne for the next year and a half or so. I've been greeted with comments like, "American! Wow, that's like being born into slavery."
He later decided that wasn't the best analogy, but "You should get a disabled card when you travel..." was deemed fitting.
Wow, I'm finally American again, not just a first world country that a nation of people are aspiring to be. Well, at least I won't here about that for a while.
Okay, I'm not used to this blogging thing. Give me some time.
Friday, January 13, 2006
alive
I'm not dead, I'm just in America. I probably won't get back to this full time for another month or so.
Yeah, I don't know how I feel about the new design either. I'm not sure about all the green.
Yeah, I don't know how I feel about the new design either. I'm not sure about all the green.
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