LinkedIn but LockedOut

When we send a customer service request to an online entity, particularly a social media platform, one expects to encounter a small degree of difficulty. Often these services are outsourced, which means there will be time zone delays, language nuances, cultural barriers and the inevitable aspect of dealing with someone who isn't interested in your level of technological literacy. They have been trained to follow the manual and not actually use their brain to work through an issue with any form of logic or assistance from the customer.

This week it turns out that I was due for the latter with LinkedIn. And I am now locked out.

It began on Tuesday afternoon. With a glance at my email inbox I notice two messages from LinkedIn confirming that my password had been changed. That had occurred at 9.26am. It was now 1pm! With thoughts of "I've been hacked" pounding through my skull I quickly reviewed the email links and headers to ensure it was legitimate. It was. 

I then dashed across to my LinkedIn app to discover that I was locked out. My password had indeed been changed. 

The obvious step was to request a password reset; email received, password changed and a quick review of my account ... all looked fine, no changes. Perhaps this wasn't a hacker, maybe a glitch of some kind. Or perhaps someone gained access through my old work email? No. Would they?

Better be safe than sorry, I deleted my old work email from my authorised address list. It was only there as a means of allowing previous colleagues to discover me through the Outlook add-on. It never occurred to me that someone would use it to acquire access to my account.

Ok. Breathe! Tiny, inconsequential crisis averted I now begin to wonder about who had changed the password. Time for a fishing expedition. I contact LinkedIn Customer Help. And now the real fun begins.

I send a simply worded request asking for info on how my account was accessed and by whom. I partially knew the answer but I just wanted proof. I also informed LinkedIn that I had reset my password to assure them that I was back in control of my account. They responded with a request for screenshots of the emails and their headers.

I understand they must follow the basic procedures to ensure that moron X has his computer turned on, modem plugged in, monitor on, keyboard plugged in etc. but it is always an eye-rolling exercise to bear with. In this case they were checking that it hadn't been a phishing email - it wasn't as I had already verified.

Anyway, I persevere and comply. Screenshots sent. Again I reiterated that I had changed my password, was in control of my account and that I suspected what had happened but just wanted information from them to substantiate my claim.

It was now mid afternoon and I received a final response for the day stating that it had been passed to the 'Trust and Safety Team' for review. It took 24hrs for a response while they 'investigated'. But when they did I was flabbergasted (don't you just love that word?).

Suffice to say, that response was a clear indication that they had not investigated. A quick look at my account would have seen two separate requests for a password reset and two subsequent password changes - one from my previous employer and one from me 4hrs later. 

According to LinkedIn it never occurred. 

Further this was a stock standard answer for the question of "why did I get a password reset link?", not "why did I get a password change confirmation?".

So, here I was with a service provider that I could no longer trust to adequately investigate a security matter and come up with anything other than a lie. What am I to do.

My retaliation was swift. 

The reason I know that it was my former employer is that I had communication from them enquiring why the access they had acquired was now gone. Yup. They admitted what they had done (albeit in order to edit the organisation profile that I had created) and wanted to get access again. Hell no!

By now you may be thinking that this was my own fault. That because I left my my old email address attached to my account that it gave rise to this situation being possible. Yep. I admit it. I failed to see that my former employer would use my old email address to gain access to my account. That is like blaming the rape victim for walking down a dark alley. Yes it was a mistake, but the perpetrator still remains responsible for their actions. 

So what do the authorities do after my latest response and a few terse posts on Twitter? They do what any dog does when it is backed into a corner. They bite!

Can you actually believe that they have suspended my account and are now asking me to provide personal identification and a sworn affidavit that I am the owner of my own information to which they have been replying to via the email listed on the account and through Twitter.

Can you actually fucking believe it?

Neither can I.

*facepalm*

9 things I learned from 9 days in Indonesia.

I never thought my first overseas holiday as an adult would be solo and to Indonesia, especially Bali. I say solo, but not alone; I met many wonderful people on this trip and was never travelling alone. As for Bali, well I didn't want to be one of "those" Aussies. But here I am at the end of a nine day adventure that I have vowed to be the first of many. 

My adventure was always going to be about activities and food, not alcohol and beaches. I first headed to Lombok, spent four nights at Gili Trawangan and then four more in Ubud before a final day relaxing in Seminyak. I snorkelled, cooked, cycled, rafted, templed, got sunburnt and drenched in rain and I ate my way through every local delicacy I could find. 

And it was truly enchanting.

But I also observed the people; the locals and the other tourists. This is what I learned in the last 9 days that will be the foundation of my future travels.

1. Spontaneity and carefree travelling is exciting, but a bit of forward planning avoids costly errors. 

2. Even when you think you are paying top dollar, you are not being ripped off. By all means ask for a better price, but haggling to knock off an extra few thousand rupiah is as stupid as trying for 50c at home. The ticket price is still relatively cheap in Aussie dollars and these people deserve wealth as much as you. Don't be stingy. You are not a hero for reducing the income of a person earning the equivalent of a couple of hundred dollars a month. 

3. Engage with the locals. They are beautiful honest folk trying to make a life. The least you can do is share some time, learn their language and customs. It will enrich your experience and you will make friends who will be more inclined to help you get around at the best price.  

4. Learn the language. At the very least learn to say please (tolong) and thank you (terima kasih) and use it everywhere. Make your mother proud. 

5. Be respectful. Remove your shoes, even if others don't. Don't complain about wearing a sarong in a temple. Walk around the offerings on the ground even if it means your feet get wet. 

6. Watch where you are walking. Don't trust the ground or the pavement. It is wet, slippery and broken. Hold on going up and down steps. 

7. Be kind to animals. Don't kick the dogs or tease the monkeys. You will only prove that you are an arsehole. 

8. You never know when or where you may require a toilet break. No really, I mean I need a toilet right now!  Preferably with toilet paper. 

9. If you came here to hang out with Aussies and get drunk then please stay in Australia. You will make the world a much better place for everyone. 

Unhappiness

I am angry because the world is angry.

This incredible, life-giving place is dying.

The human virus invades it;

tears at it, breaks and destroys it.

Humanity is insane.

I am sad because humanity is sad.

This remarkable, intelligent species is hurting.

The disease of selfishness infects it;

too many, too poor, too ill.

Humanity is inhumane.

I am worried because my nation is worried

This prosperous, free democracy is stalling.

The politics of nationalism drives it;

god, Queen, flag and country.

Humanity is a bane.

I am ashamed because my peoples are ashamed.

This beautiful, rich diversity is fading.

The rise of monoculture derides it;

assimilate, integrate, fit in.

Humanity is the same.

I am fearful because my family is fearful.

This safe, free space is disappearing.

The threat of hate pervades it;

taunts, bullies and bashes it.

Humanity is a crime.

I am unhappy because I am unhappy.

This amazing, promising person is breaking.

The wind of doubt erodes it,

whips, cuts and thrashes it.

Humanity is to blame.

The Australian Democrats

It's about time that I started writing again. My blog seems to be a good place to commence.

Recent events have brought the Australian Democrats back into my life, albeit from the distance of Twitter, however it seems that little has changed and that another split has unfurled.

While I watch and wait for the outcome I am reminded of this graphic that I hacked back in the day when the party lost key Senate seats and the final death knell was tolling.

Lugere

From the last wind through autumn lungs;
Across the endless ache of winter bones
Through the dark shadow on a spring mind;
Into the constant drought raping a summer heart

Ever changing seasons bring nought new life;
The passing years unease tormented souls
Tears no longer flowing; dry faucet, an empty well
Time steps solemnly to the beat of a silent drum

Every surface gathers dust, thick shrouds of mourning
Heavy drapes, closed against rotting boarded windows
Cobwebs fill the dark, dank, lifeless spaces,
They speak like tombstones in a soulless graveyard

Haunted by the memories of pride and glory left behind
Old dreams, broken promises, forgotten lives
Collected, hoarded, possessed and now unwanted
An obsessive compulsion of nostalgic sentiment

No breath nor life, no mind nor soul
A broken home, heart broken; forgotten and unforgiven
Take heed, a living corpse; have pity, the walking dead
Abandoned empty vessels, derelict zombie love

The pathway to understanding

To understand any subject, one must gain the necessary breadth and depth of knowledge that usually leads to a simple, yet unfaltering conclusion - the truth.>

But there are very few absolute truths known to humanity, and so the pathway to understanding can only be obtained through the accumulation of experience derived from many a life's daily experiments, either directly or through the work of others handed down through the ages. As we progress we edge measurably closer to the truth.

The traveller on this path will naturally have an inquisitive mind. They must care deeply about the subject to set out on such an arduous journey of research. In fact, they must care so deeply that they are willing to delve into the darkest places and are prepared to discover the most shocking of truths. What if the world is not flat or riding on the back of a giant turtle?

Yet, all the while the inquirer must remain coldly objective and aware of the numerous distractions, tangents and falsehoods that will throw them off the trail and risk losing sight of the truth.

This is the essence of the pathway to understanding; to care so deeply that the desire to understand allows for the objective process of questioning/researching/knowledge to ultimately lead to new understanding.

This is what we know as empathy.

On the other hand, sympathy is the irrational attraction of two like-minded beliefs drawn together as anecdotes in a falsehood dressed up as proof; a self-destructive co-dependency of propaganda.

For you to sympathise with my experience is to merely unveil your self-indulgence or servility by attempting to relate only to some peripheral similarities between our unique and separate circumstances. Our experience is more distinctly different than your simple desire for fraternity will allow you to believe.

To show me empathy displays your humanitarian character. It respects the simple truth that you do not (and probably cannot) have the complete knowledge to understand and fully comprehend my circumstances, that you are only an observer.

Yet it also demonstrates that you care enough to seek a level of understanding, rather than assume it's ownership through some inferior thread of connectivity.

The pathway to understanding is empathy; and the truth usually resides somewhere between at least two plausible perspectives.

My reflection through other eyes

Often we wonder how others see us. We question whether people like us or enjoy our company. Do they find us attractive, amusing, intelligent or ugly, ridiculous and stupid? Most of the time we never know the truth, and perhaps we are better off not knowing.

However, it seems that social media is opening up Pandora's box and giving us a small insight into how others might really view ourselves. On Facebook there are dozens of 'applications' (I know because I've blocked them all) that will seek the truth from your 'friends', compare their perceptions, ask them to reveal their opinions as well as judge you on a range of issues and personality traits. Who needs a therapist any more?

And if that wasn't enough, now you can even be stereotyped, pigeon-holed and categorised by complete strangers. Break out the champagne!

Thanks to Twitter's introduction of 'lists' you can now gain an insight into how your followers see you via your profile and tweeting history. Let me explain by analysing the lists that I've found myself thrust into.

Firstly, geographic locations account for the vast majority of Twitter lists, so it is natural that I find myself grouped in with fellow sandgropers (Western Australians) on no less than 18 lists with names like perthians, perthites, perth-peeps, perth-people, perthmafia, perth-twitterati, the-perth-files, perthizzles, perthies or simply "perth". In addition I'm included on 3 generic "Aussie" lists and a "outside-usa-overflow-box".

That means that more than half of the 38 lists that herald my twitterings are geocentric. No surprises there, in fact it's pretty boring unless there is more to the 'mafia' than simple metaphor.

The next most popular type of category seems to depend on whether you can be confirmed as a real person with "people-not-spammers", "rl-peeps" (presumably rl='real life'), "knowirl" (know in real life), "yet-to-meet-irl" and "twitter-contacts".

What really sparked my interest (and the reason for this prattle) was the group of lists that categorised my activity. Apparently I make the grade for "Social media" by two followers, despite being nothing more than a mere user. Other tweeps have fashioned my twitter existence with descriptions like "rationalists", "politics", and most surprisingly "journalists".

Meanwhile there were compliments like "awesomepeople" and "they-make-me-smile". Both of which compensated for being on the "other and "random" lists.

I'm just not sure what to make of being on the list titled "naughty-max" :-p

Pride risks nationalism

Something I came up with today in a discussion about national pride and nationalism:

A preoccupation with the colours, emblems or subjective values of a nation instead of the beauty of the peoples and cultures that inhabit it, is pure nationalism and we should despise it before we learn to fear it.

There's a fine line between pride and nationalism and I choose to stand as far away from that line as possible. To that end, I don't like:

• vehicles adorned with flags (as if we don't know what it looks like)
• tattoos of flags or other nationalist symbols (as if you need proof of where you were born)
• objections to the burning of flags as a valid form of protest
• anything that promotes bigotry or vilification of any kind

What do you think?

P***** Off!

POLEMICOL polysemously proposes to profusely ponder and promote the polymorphic potentiality and perpetuity of policing political polemics through perpetration of proscribed pyrolysis in pandemic proportions.

RIP Jack - and please don't haunt me!

It is a day of many and mixed emotions when one's nemesis passes away. Where would Sherlock Holmes have been without Moriarty, Batman without Catwoman, Superman without Lex Luthor.

It is such a day for me, not that I consider myself to be a fictitious crime-fighter devoid of a super-villain; but the death of former Australian Democrats Senator, Jack Evans (see announcement below) does leave me feeling a little nostalgic, somewhat wistful and even a dab of sadness.

Anyone who followed my few years as an active member of the Democrats will know how I came to blows with Jack and his excremental offsider, Andrew Murray. Jack may very well have had good intentions to protect the party, but his vice-like grip did more damage than good and it blinded him to the facts. He was, unfortunately, more interested in retaining tight control more than upholding the democratic foundations of the party.

That was no more evident than by his actions during the WA Democrats fiasco in and similarly in several less public stoushes and faux pas' in the years since, culminating in his support for Murray during his ridiculous and damaging dummy spit of 2001/02.

Readers may wish to search through my very early posts on this site for an insight or review detailed documentation from Brian Jenkins and other online sources.

One day I might manage to upload all of my email records and other documentation from the AusDemocrats ... please contact me if you are a budding researcher interested in delving into the mire ;-)

Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness today that I have the duty to inform you that one of our greatest has passed away. Jack Evans died early this morning in Perth.

A former Senator, National President and National Campaign Director, Jack Evans was instrumental in the formation of the Australian Democrats, and was a significant figure in many of our greatest moments, including rafting the Franklin River with Don Chipp all those years ago.

Jack was a man of visions and ideas. He wanted to make things happen, and often they did. People would get caught up in his enthusiasm and share his vision and work hard to make it happen. He had a deep and commanding voice and chose his words carefully. He didn’t prattle on, but spoke with quiet dignity after listening to others opinions. Therefore – people listened, felt heard and had confidence in his ability to deliver.

He was a deal maker, pulling people together to make things happen. He was also very cautious and very much kept what he saw as the Party’s best interest deep in his heart. He was very protective of the Party when he could see people who’s intent was questionable or potentially problematic and some took this as obstructionist. He knew how to be a strategist and develop ways of achieving goals. Jack never spoke ill of people despite the criticisms he would inevitably receive and had a remarkable ability to tenaciously push through obstacles, disregarding personal cost.

There was nothing more he loved, it seemed, than talking about political ideas, about ways to address the big issues, about the way the Democrats could continue to make a difference. He remained absolutely committed to the ideals of the Party and those remaining have a responsibility to Jack to do their best to ensure those ideals are not lost from the political landscape.

He remained very private about his personal side, yet once one of his friends he was warm and gracious, always showing a keen interest in those around him.

People like Jack Evans are rare – I know he touched and inspired many Australian Democrats and others across the country. To those close to him we offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences. We will all miss him.

Julia Melland
National President
Australian Democrats

And in a strange way, yes I will miss him too.

Andrew Murray on the other hand ... well, let's not go there.

An Obituary

Received the following in an email. The source is attributed as being an obituary published in the London Times, although the BBC attributes it to Lori Borgman. There are also a few different versions across the Internet including this more parochial one.


Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, 'Common Sense', who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouth wash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement .

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility, his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights; I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on.

If not, join the majority and do nothing.

I am always right. Almost always

I came across a post titled I am always right. Almost always and I loved reading it because it brought home some dark truths that I grapple with consistently.

Unanswered questions like:

• When does my opposition to fundamentalism become, in itself, a form of fundamentalism?
• Can someone's freedom of expression impinge on my freedom from oppression?
• Can I maintain my integrity by compromising my position in a negotiation or debate?
  

The latter was beautifully summed up in a previous post in 2006 which quoted Liberal Democrats (UK political party) leader, Charles Kennedy as saying:

"In politics you should position yourself behind what you believe in and articulate it. Then see if that's what the voters want, and if it's not what they want, well, that's democracy."

I think we can adapt to this to a broader philosophy on life.

I have always maintained that I will never compromise my principles - my integrity is my self. Without it I am lost in a sea of expressionless and unconscious beings in a "follow me" world.

That does not mean I am fixed and rigid in my opinions and perspectives, though it may appear that way. I know that I must be open to new information and willing to adapt to the truth when it is discovered, for my principles are based solely on my knowledge and experience to date, which may well be flawed or lacking the right perspective.

One exercise that I regularly undertake, and highly recommend to everyone, is to take your beliefs, one at a time, and ask yourself simply "why do I believe this?".

Often you will find the root of your beliefs in some distant childhood memory that, when given an adult perspective, seems ludicrous, illogical or irrelevant. At that point it is time to reassess that belief in light of the present information and understanding.

Only at that moment of extraordinary capitulation can we say we have grown wiser. I look for those moments daily and embrace them with joy.

Still here ;-)

I haven't been arrested for my previous post - clearly Echelon doesn't dig deep enough or the wheels of policing bureaucracy are slow to move at this time of year.

At the end of this annus horribilus, and as we edge towards the eve of a new (but same agenda) world order, I felt it relevant to share this quote. It sums up my feeling on what 2009 will bring.


"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
~John F. Kennedy

Happy pagan solstice festivities to all!

What Lies Beyond the Activism?

Featured in The West Australian, Saturday 4 October 2008 pg14. This is the unedited version - italicised areas differ from the printed version.

Taking the opposing view of a high profile group, such as Pride WA, is always fraught with danger. And if, as the devil's advocate, you happen to be an out (and proud) activist for human rights, questioning the validity of Mardi Gras' poorer and impotent WA cousin is likely to inspire a gay fatwa.

Religion and ice-breaker aside, this debate is about whether the Pride Parade still offers any significant purpose in a modern society that has largely redeemed itself of a torrid, but relatively short-lived, history of fear and hatred towards non-heterosexual citizens.

During the last few decades of activism, lobbying, community consultation and legislative debate, Pride was one of a handful of necessary tools used to highlight the cause of homosexuals (bisexuals and trans-folk were forgotten for many years) and sway public opinion. To this end the successive committees achieved their purpose and the battle was won.

Today, just a few years after the first parade in 1990, we have sexual and gender equality exceeding other states and beyond what most countries could hope to achieve in a similar time frame.

Even the current Premier, who vehemently opposed the 2002 legislation that transformed our state, is unwilling to water down this advancement. What is done is done; we now move forward as a progressive and respectful society.

This year Pride has donned the tag-line of "re-invention". And it is timely that it do so, just as a teenager must eventually lose the unruliness and loutish nature of its youthful exuberance in favour of a more cultured, mature and civil interaction with a diverse society.

The question for Pride, once famed for attracting a six figure audience to witness political parody, is what lies beyond the activism?

Sydney's internationally famous Mardi Gras has grown up from its protest roots to become a unique tourist drawcard that injects millions of dollars into the economy. Perth, due to its isolation and population, is incapable of achieving the same.

The Parade is waning, the after-party has retired to a nightclub, and Northbridge Fairday attendance has dropped significantly. Homophobic crimes are no more concerning than racial or religious inspired ones and the majority of our GLBT youth enjoy the company of their straight friends across venues without question.

Pride is in the sunset of its years. It deserves our respect and thanks, not our lifeline.

Serendipitous Serenity

Moments like this leave me speechless.

Life just smacks you in the forehead and you stand their gob-smacked, mouth wide open and unable to utter a syllable.

A myriad of emotion welled up from within every synapse and sinew, enveloping me like a blanket, and just as suddenly there was an epiphany of light and beauty that broke through the dark clouds.

Yesterday there was sad news; the death of someone I did not know and who did not know me, but who had brought much joy into my life and the lives of many people I know.

I feel for the loss that his partner, family and friends must endure and the many questions that might be asked by those who wish to understand. However, I am strangely at peace; content in simply understanding without question.

Thank you to Brett and Andy for the joy of Toybox. My love to you both.

The following is copied from the Toybox website as a memorium to the greatness of a single human being.

BRETT BUSH
14.03.1966 - 18.11.2007

As I write this, my heart weighs heavy with unfathomable loss.

You may have already heard that Brett, my partner of 13 years and a co-founder of Toybox and the creative genius behind its brand, was found dead on Sunday evening, 18 November, having finally decided that the time was right for him to end his life.

For years Brett had told me and others as well, that he intended to end his life at a time of his choosing. His conversations and comments about this, while frequent and consistent, were never distressed or despairing. And he always seemed philosophical, wanting me to be prepared that he might leave me sooner rather than later. But I simply wasn't prepared.

When I started my 13 years with Brett I was a long way away from being philosophical about the prospect of losing him prematurely, and over the course of our relationship no amount of talking about such things with Brett, or with friends and family, and even with professionals, served to prepare me for the finality of his death last Sunday.

I am fairly sure though that Brett was clear that he was done with his life here.

He'd thought about choosing to end his life for many years, probably initially in the context of his HIV positive diagnosis in the 1980's, and living for years with the fear of an untimely and awful AIDS-related death right up until the mid-1990's when anti-retrovirals brought some brighter health prospects for his future.

But the constant consideration Brett gave to his mortality doesn't seem to have been about his HIV status alone, because about two months ago, in spite of being in very good health, Brett made a first but unsuccessful attempt to end his life, causing us to have to make an unprecedented and very difficult decision to cancel our 30 September Luminere Party.

In the context of treatment following that suicide attempt, Brett's attending physicians said he was not depressed, and that he was not a danger to himself nor to anyone else. They told us they were perplexed by Brett's positive life circumstances – his good health, financial security, family, friends, and being in a loving and happy 13 year relationship – and why those circumstances didn’t seem to be enough for him to want to stay alive.

I don't profess to have understood Brett in all of this – but I loved this man, and in so doing I have always chosen to do my utmost to honour his living on his terms, and I also intend to honour his dying – on his terms as well.

As I said earlier, I think Brett was done here – he clearly wanted to go. And while I feel bereft as I struggle to form pictures of my future without him, I am committed to accepting his choice.

In accordance with his wishes, Brett will be cremated privately at 2.30pm this Thursday 29 November.

At 4.00pm that same day there will be a celebration of Brett's life at Will and Toby’s, Level 1 of the Oxford Hotel in Taylor Square, Darlinghurst. No-one will be more welcome at this celebration than you, the members of Toybox. Please come if you'd like to be there – most especially if you knew Brett, or knew of his work or his life through Toybox, or elsewhere.

Finally, concerned about how quickly rumours can spread and grow, and also how wrong rumours can become when facts aren’t known, I decided to write this to ensure that you at least would know the circumstances surrounding Brett's death. Importantly, the content of this statement was agreed in principle by Brett in a number of conversations he and I had about what might or should be said publicly in the event of his death. I have been very careful to honour the spirit of those conversations and our agreement, and most especially Brett's wishes in this regard.

In finally saying goodbye for Brett, I know he’d also want me to say thank you – for all the fun, and for all the love.

Life does go on - and I’m looking forward to catching up with you when we’re out and about during the coming weeks, and if not, then hopefully at Toybox Luna Park in March next year.



Andy

...ovember

Something is happening!

On the first of November there'll be a change taking place across Australia and internationally ... Gillette, Schick and other similar companies are shaking in their boots at a potential downturn in their sales.

But society will benefit.

Watch this space!

Positively new blog description

The previous month has been a time of change for me ... a bit like an enormous spring clean - out with old and in with new. I start my new position with another recruitment firm on Monday, my domestic situation has taken an interesting, but positive, turn and my immediate family deciding to relocate to Brisbane in coming months.

I have had this week in between jobs to ponder a number of large and minor issues, one of which has been this blog. It had occurred to me that the previous description of this blog was rather negative and defensive. It stated simply what I was against, rather than what I stood for.

This blog represents the voice of an Aussie from the libertarian left who is committed to fighting conservatism, nationalism, economic rationalism, fascism and religious fanaticism. If you disagree with my perspective, please state your case and have a rational debate. I don't care much for people using religious texts in an attempt to prove their argument. Try using reason and logic instead!

So, out with the old and in with the positively new ...

This blog represents the voice of a left leaning Aussie who is committed to liberal democratic socialism, with a strong emphasis on pluralism throughout all facets of society - economic, cultural, political, demographic etc. I am particularly valiant when it comes to issues of rights, justice, and freedom from religion.

Tolkien rises once again!

As an avid fan of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the new masterpiece, The Children of Hurin, pieced together by his son, Christopher.

Whether this story will live up to expectations or not is yet to be seen, but I have my copy and I look forward to setting aside some time to read it. My review will, of course, be blogged.

Two fathers ... or even three

This is just brilliant! A young boy singing about being adopted by two gay men ...

http://superbbluewren.livejournal.com/172586.html

You can also read my personal experience about parenting and what my daughter taught me about having three fathers.

Australia Deliberated ... and, what now?

I've been asked why I haven't reported further on the recent deliberative poll in Canberra.

It isn't because of laziness, although I am a major procrastinator at times. And it isn't because of any disinterest in the topic or a dwindling motivation to see the issues resolved.

My silence has primarily been due to a critical lack of direction or sense of conclusion. I left Canberra feeling at a loss and with some disappointment in how the proceedings were brought to a swift and insalubrious end.

"Fill out a survey, here's a cheque for $100, buses will leave at the appointed times and thank you ... now go and have lunch and listen to Bob Hawke sing Waltzing Matilda"

Ummm! But, excuse me ... What should we do now?

We had several dozen groups of people from all over the nation, brought together as strangers, all leaving with a sense that more needed to be done. Our work wasn't complete. We couldn't just send everyone away without some conclusion, some closure, some sense of a future direction. Yet, that's exactly what happened.

Most of us want to help break down these barriers; to keep the media accountable for their biased reporting; to educate others and facilitate harmony and interaction and pursue the goal of a truly multicultural society where no-one was abused for their beliefs or threatened by the beliefs of others.

Come in, spinner!

Alas, this weekend was not about developing solutions. It had very little to do with Islam in Australian society, and it certainly had nothing to achieve except to promote a system of political polling and facilitating some behavioural research.

It has taken me all this time to admit to myself the futility of this process in facilitating change on a large scale. Certainly, there were many individuals who were inspired to be better people; to take the message of unity back to their local communities, their families, workplaces and schools. But very little can be accomplished on a broader scale when the participants were swiftly dispersed without so much as a brief discussion on taking "the next step".

Perhaps I misled myself into thinking that a forum such as this would be a catalyst for change. No-one promised me that the weekend would provide answers, yet I went fully expecting to be part of the grand solution. Nobody suggested that this was an exercise in negotiation or diplomacy, but still my expectations were high for an outcome of significant proportions.

Three weeks after this extraordinary weekend, I am left sullen and void of satisfaction. It was a great holiday and an awesome opportunity to visit Canberra. It was also a wonderful way to meet some colourful characters and interesting individuals, partake of some excellent education and stimulating discourse. However, it was merely a talk fest amidst a series of research projects - nothing more!

Of course, there is a lot that I can do (and will do) as an individual, but I really feel that without some groundswell of support from the wider community, there will be little to achieve in pushing this barrow.

C'est la vie!