shortblack

and the winner is........

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:11:24 GMT

On Friday night the agency I run, won a national award for our suicide prevention project (9 winners out of over 100 nominations cross the country). Everyone I work with, is wrapped and it's so great to receive this kind of acknowledgement for the work you do, especially when you love your work. While our agency runs a lot of different programs promoting safety in our community, there are none as close to my heart as this one because I was first employed by this agency 4.5 years ago to coordinate the research phase of the project and so its amazing to see how the program has developed over the years to now being considered a national leader in a very difficult area.

It's quite funny, but when I was first advised a couple of weeks ago I had to keep it a bit quiet, because the organisers wanted to generate their own media around the event, but on Friday night guess what else was on at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre...the Eagles club champion awards...so no prizes for guessing which event had the all the media attention, I mean football players and their gorgeous partners (not meaning to be gender neutral, but looking forward to a time when this will be necessary in the football world) in their amazing dresses can't possibly compete with a group of people around the country who are trying to do what they can to keep people alive! If I sound a bit disappointed about this, it's because I am...I saw nothing in the paper yesterday about the amazing work being done all over country but the Eagles even got a mention on the front page followed by a huge article on page 3 !

While there were many great things about receiving the awards, the best bit for me, was just after I had given my acceptance speech and when I sat down bardiegrub said she was very proud of me !

Feeling lucky

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:34:30 GMT

Right now I am feeling very lucky to be living in Perth, somewhere where I have access to power, food and water !!! Let me put some context around this...as many of you know I have family that live in Burma so kind of always feel lucky that my parents decided to move here in the year I was born with all the problems the people living there experience on a daily basis. At the moment in the aftermath of the cyclone we are pretty sure that our relatives are OK (i.e. not dead or injured) but I was speaking to one of my Uncles today and he said that he has still not heard from some of them, as the lines are probably down but he is hopeful that they are OK. Also was speaking to one of my cousins who said that it was four days before she knew whether her mum and sister were ok (they spent 6 months visiting here and only went back to Rangoon a couple of months ago). Even though they are not hurt, they still have no power and access to food and and clean water is difficult even in the least effected areas. So as I said at the start I am feeling very lucky and everytime I am reminded of what is going on in this country (ongoing plus more recent events) it really helps me to put things into perspective.

My First Cruise

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:03:37 GMT

Returned on Friday from an 11 day cruise to Indonesia on a ship called the Funchal. It was absolutely amazing and have come back totally relaxed and recharged and feel as though I have been away for weeks!! I went with 5 other friends and while we were all expecting it to be a lot fun I was surprised by the other stuff we got out of it and how much we all ended up thinking about and reassessing our lives, relationships, friendships, work etc Many of us realised how we need to take much better care of ourselves and try to stop our lives from becoming a 'list of things to do'. The cruise was one of the most significant and liberating experiences of my life and happy to expand on this further with anyone that is interested.

Privilege Meme

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:55:22 GMT

From What Privileges Do You Have?, based on an exercise about class and privilege developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. If you participate in this blog game, they ask that you PLEASE acknowledge their copyright.

Bold the true statements.

1. Father went to college
2. Father finished college
3. Mother went to college
4. Mother finished college
5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor....sister is a uni lecturer
6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.
7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.
8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.
9. Were read children's books by a parent
10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18...assuming this includes badminton lessons
11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18
12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively...sometimes, given that i am gay and from a culturally diverse background
13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18.
14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs....this was in the time of free educ...only paid 1 year of HECS
15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs
16. Went to a private high school
17. Went to summer camp
18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18
19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels
20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18.
22. There was original art in your house when you were a child
23. You and your family lived in a single-family house...this consisted of 8 to 9 people
24. Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home...but only because mum received a payout from a car crash in which she was injured
25. You had your own room as a child
26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18
27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course
28. Had your own TV in your room in high school
29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college
30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16...went on a school camp to Kalgoorlie
31. Went on a cruise with your family.
32. Went on more than one cruise with your family
33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up.
34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family.

Need your support

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 02:59:31 GMT

Hi guys
Please see the message below seeking support for the changes to federal legislaion that ia currently being considered by John Howard. It is really important that he and other members of the Fed Gov know that there is broad support from the Australian community for these changes and not just from people with divers sexuality and gender.

Also, is a press release by the Christian group the Salt Shakers to try and rustle-up anit-gay sentiment...needless to say it is highly offensive and full of untruths...really how can any group calling themselves the Salt Shakers expect to be taken seriously !!!

It would be great, if you can find the time to send a couple of emails off to the people listed below expressing you support.

Dear all

As you may be aware, there has been a bit of media coverage in the last few days regarding John Howard's consideration of the removal of discrimination against same-sex couples in areas like Medicare, Taxation, aged care, etc . This has come about after a year-long lobbying campaign by the Australian Coalition for Equality and other groups, with the support of more liberal, Liberal backbenchers.

It's important you get as many people to write in support of the removal of discrimination against ss couples and their families. A brief email supporting the Government's proposed removal of discrimination against ss couples in Federal legislation will be sufficient. Please feel free to forward this email on to friends and family.

Here are some key addresses. These are the backbenchers who have been leading the call for change.

Peter Lindsay, Peter.Lindsay.MP@aph.gov.au
Malcolm Turnbull, Malcolm.Turnbull.MP@aph.gov.au
Greg Hunt, Greg.Hunt.MP@aph.gov.au
Warren Entsch, Warren.Entsch.MP@aph.gov.au

And, on his website link, the Prime Minister:

John Howard, www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm <http://www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm>

More info on the proposed changes: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20627871-2702,00.html <http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20627871-2702,00.html>

Below is the email that was sent out by the Christian group, Salt Shakers to all of their supporters. We have to combat this by offering just as much support in favour!

*****
Apparently, John Howard is seriously considering removing discrimination against same-sex and other interdependent couples in key areas like Medicare, migration law and tax. (see attached report) HE NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU ON THIS ISSUE.

Any further recognition of homosexuality or same-sex relationships will simply be one step closer to full acceptance and the normalisation of sexual immorality.

The homosexuals have been lobbying some 'soft' Liberal and National MPs and Senators and they have swallowed the rhetoric. They, in turn, have put pressure on Mr Howard. We must help those in the Coalition who do NOT support such moves.

We must write to Mr Howard and our Federal MPs and Senators and ask them NOT to further undermine our society's values by placating and encouraging a very small (less than 1.5%) homosexual minority. They have no evidence to support recognition or rights. Their sexual lifestyle gives NO benefit to society but its endorsement will cost society dearly in health and welfare. Over 80% of all HIV/AIDS cases in Australia are due to homosexual sex. There has been a large rise in STDs such as gonorrhoea mainly due to homosexual sexual activity - these lifestyles should not be endorsed by our political representatives.

Queensland federal Liberal MP Warren Entsch has finalised draft legislation for his private member's bill to 'remove discrimination'against homosexual couples. He says his aim is to remove 'discrimination' against same-sex couples. in areas such as Medicare, superannuation and welfare.

In all of these areas, it is same-sex COUPLES that are to be given benefits. Salt Shakers maintains that anything that specifically recognises same sex 'relationships' cannot be supported by Christians.

Any recognition of same-sex couples will further undermine marriage and the family.

My year in retrospect

Sun, 18 Dec 2005 14:00:22 GMT

1.What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before? Gave a speech to 200 people, interviewed by media & appeared on Ch 31, visited Tasmania and Woollongong, went sea kayaking, stayed at the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern hemisphere (in Woollongong of all places), Cadbury factory tour in Tasi…

2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions and will you make more for next year? Do not really believe in making them…I prefer to look at my achievements at the end of each year which is usually much more encouraging

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes my Nephews wife had their 3rd child and I am the godmother.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Luckily No

5. What countries did you visit? Did not visit o'seas, but visited Tasmania and Wollongong for the first time

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005? Motivation to exercise and more time for family and friends

7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The last day of the conference at the Buddhist Temple in March. The children sang to all the conference delegates and taught us how to sing the songs with sign language…it was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Giving a speech in front of 200 people as I normally avoid public speaking

9. What was your biggest failure? Not exercising enough and putting on weight that I had lost the previous year

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? A sinus infection…would not recommend getting one

11. What was the best thing you bought? A lovely house in Bassendean

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration? George Takei (the guy who played Hikaru Sulu on Trek) for coming out.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? Our beloved PM and his cronies for many many things...

14. Where did most of your money go? Buying a house !!!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My parents 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

16. What song will always remind you of 2005? 'Gamble everything for love' by Ben Lee and the single (Hung up) off the new Madonna album that I have been playing constantly

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer? Happier, fatter, poorer (because of the house)

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Exercising...and spending more time with family and friends

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Working and eating chocolate

20. How will you be spending Christmas? Christmas Eve with gf and my family, Christmas Day at home with gf and friends

21. Did you fall in love in 2005? Developed the usual crushes and fell more in-love with gf.

23. How many one-night stands? None

24. What was your favourite TV programme? New Who and Lost

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No just hate the same people I hated last year ie Bush and Howard

26. What was the best book you read? Without Reservations: the travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Ben Lee and Green Day

28. What did you want and get? A job without having to go to interviews.

29. What did you want and not get? A body like Madonna's.

30. What was your favourite film of this year? Sideways and Somersault

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old did you turn? Flew to Tasmania and turned 37

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Disappearance of US President and Australia's PM.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? Have no idea.

34. What kept you sane? My gf and friends.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Don't ask me to chose between Madonna and Beyonce I just can't

36. What political issue stirred you the most? Have to agree with gf and say Gay marriage but there are a number eg Industrial Relations, Anti-Terrorism, Voluntary Student Unionism etc etc

37. Who did you miss? Friends who have moved to Canberra (there are a few) and my Grandma.

38. Who was the best new person you met? Hard to name only 1…there are a number of people I work with that I like very much.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005. The amount of $ I have spent on DVDs could have probably bought a herd of goats…the lesson would be to think carefully about how much stuff you really need!!!

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "Don't want to be an American Idiot…I'm not part of a redneck agenda" by Greenday

Sun, 04 Dec 2005 02:04:46 GMT

Hi everyone
I finally decided to get an LJ and I'm looking forward to not being a luddite anymore !!!!