Here is an interview with Australia's Workplace Relations Minister, Bill Shorten.
I felt a strong obligation to share it because it made me laugh so much.
Oh Bill, it wasn't your finest moment, was it? Don't worry - I wasn't asking for your (or your boss's) opinion. It was very much a rhetorical question.
Ummmm...?
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Friday, 27 April 2012
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
It's ANZAC Day
Occasionally you come across something so moving that it stays with you.
It's ANZAC Day today. (I'll quickly explain: ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the landing of the ANZACs at Gallipoli in 1915. It's a day of commemoration for those in the armed services, past and present. The day starts with a dawn service, then a cooked breakfast before going to your local parade, followed by an afternoon at the pub for beer and a game called "two-up" which I still don't understand.)
Every year, April 25 brings with it more and more inspiring stories. Either they are recent stories, or tales that are only just emerging with the passing of time. But I'm not telling any of these stories here. Instead I'm simply sharing with you what is written on one of many memorials.
One of the memorials on ANZAC Parade in Canberra is the Kemal Atatürk Memorial. You probably know about Atatürk, the loved first president of modern Turkey. Anyway, years before he was given the title Atatürk ("father of the Turks"), Mustafa Kemal was a commander in the Turkish army at the time of the Gallipoli campaign.
In 1934 he wrote this tribute to those ANZACs killed at Gallipoli. His words are inscribed on the memorial bearing his name.
Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well.
Beautiful isn't it? I don't imagine there are too many memorials to enemy commanders about. But doesn't this one make perfect sense?
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It's ANZAC Day today. (I'll quickly explain: ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the landing of the ANZACs at Gallipoli in 1915. It's a day of commemoration for those in the armed services, past and present. The day starts with a dawn service, then a cooked breakfast before going to your local parade, followed by an afternoon at the pub for beer and a game called "two-up" which I still don't understand.)
Every year, April 25 brings with it more and more inspiring stories. Either they are recent stories, or tales that are only just emerging with the passing of time. But I'm not telling any of these stories here. Instead I'm simply sharing with you what is written on one of many memorials.
 |
| Dawn service in Canberra. |
One of the memorials on ANZAC Parade in Canberra is the Kemal Atatürk Memorial. You probably know about Atatürk, the loved first president of modern Turkey. Anyway, years before he was given the title Atatürk ("father of the Turks"), Mustafa Kemal was a commander in the Turkish army at the time of the Gallipoli campaign.
In 1934 he wrote this tribute to those ANZACs killed at Gallipoli. His words are inscribed on the memorial bearing his name.
Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well.
Beautiful isn't it? I don't imagine there are too many memorials to enemy commanders about. But doesn't this one make perfect sense?
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Monday, 23 April 2012
Warning: Crappy, Loud Video Ahead
I don't know about you, but when I want to relax I go on a road trip with the children for as long as possible.
Nothing beats sitting in a fast-moving, metal container with two small children who no longer wish to be in said fast-moving, metal container. Will there be more vomit? Will they start fighting again? How much time before they realise there are no more snacks? Why would you want to listen to music you actually like?
I Spy is a real hoot for the first half an hour.
I Spy for a good few hours is even better.
And I Spy where the answer is, in fact, a dinosaur you have never heard of only adds to the fun. So you've spent a good fifteen minutes trying to think of the word starting with "H" only for your 5 year old to reveal the answer is hypsilophodon. Of course! What was I thinking when every previous answer was also a dinosaur?
Just out of interest, if the clue was "I spy with my little eye something starting with D" how many of you would have gone for dracorex hogwartsia? He had us stumped with that one. What were we thinking?
Then there's our daughter who, at 3, had her own version of the game. Whenever it was her turn, it went like this:
Daughter: I spy with my little eye something starting with "zero zero."
Son: Kangaroo.
Daughter: Wow, you're right! Well done!
But still, we managed to drive around Scotland with the kids and it was fine. This is entirely because we bought a DVD player for the car beforehand - we aren't complete fools, you know. And someone spent a long time inventing this nifty little gadget, so it would be rude not to show some gratitude. It was probably the best money we have ever spent... even better than my epidurals.
Until it broke.
Shit.
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Nothing beats sitting in a fast-moving, metal container with two small children who no longer wish to be in said fast-moving, metal container. Will there be more vomit? Will they start fighting again? How much time before they realise there are no more snacks? Why would you want to listen to music you actually like?
I Spy is a real hoot for the first half an hour.
I Spy for a good few hours is even better.
And I Spy where the answer is, in fact, a dinosaur you have never heard of only adds to the fun. So you've spent a good fifteen minutes trying to think of the word starting with "H" only for your 5 year old to reveal the answer is hypsilophodon. Of course! What was I thinking when every previous answer was also a dinosaur?
Just out of interest, if the clue was "I spy with my little eye something starting with D" how many of you would have gone for dracorex hogwartsia? He had us stumped with that one. What were we thinking?
Then there's our daughter who, at 3, had her own version of the game. Whenever it was her turn, it went like this:
Daughter: I spy with my little eye something starting with "zero zero."
Son: Kangaroo.
Daughter: Wow, you're right! Well done!
But still, we managed to drive around Scotland with the kids and it was fine. This is entirely because we bought a DVD player for the car beforehand - we aren't complete fools, you know. And someone spent a long time inventing this nifty little gadget, so it would be rude not to show some gratitude. It was probably the best money we have ever spent... even better than my epidurals.
Until it broke.
Shit.
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Saturday, 21 April 2012
Exploring the UK: Scotland
Hello, I'm back! If you like, you can imagine me waving madly to you. It's an enthusiastic wave, while still maintaining an element of cool.
One or two of you might recall that we went to Scotland over Easter. We loved every minute. Scotland is just fantastic and we are huge fans. We saw and did so much that I could easily fill this blog up with posts about the place.
Instead of doing that, and I do reserve my right to write more posts about it in the near future, here is my list of "Top 5 Things NOT to do in Scotland."
1. Be English
Sorry people of England, but come on. It should come as no surprise that a Scot is unlikely to share their last Rolo with you.
Because of our son's accent, people would think we were English at first - and perfectly pleasant they were about it too. But nine times out of ten upon learning we are an Australian family living in London, they weren't shy about sharing what they think of England and the English in general. It wasn't very complimentary.
But don't be upset. I think you're lovely.
2. Leave your warm coat in London
I thought I was packing for a holiday in SPRING. You know Spring? When the flowers come out and it's warmish? I thought I'd be wearing long sleeve t-shirts. I packed sunscreen, a hat and my sunnies. The week before we went Scotland sweltered in record-breaking temperatures of twenty two degrees. Well, guess what? It was frigging freezing. And wet. I ended up buying wellies and a raincoat, which I am gloriously modelling in this quality holiday snap:
We saw horizontal rain and snow. Even so, I barely saw an umbrella (except mine) and I couldn't get over seeing people wearing t-shirts in freezing temperatures - often buying ice-cream. Impressive.
3. Dislike Robert Burns
Robert Burns is the Scottish poet who wrote Auld Lang Syne. "Dislike" is a strong word, I think I'm more indifferent to him.
My issue with Robert Burns stems from many years ago, when I was on an overnight bus from London to Glasgow - which I would never, ever recommend except if I didn't like you. I sat next to a man who was appalled I knew so little about him and felt it his duty to rectify this by reciting the very long Burns poem about a haggis. I caught the word "pudding" and not much else. I could feel myself going a bit mad. In an attempt to signal to him that I was more interested in sleep than haggis poetry, I put my headphones on with a foreigner's apologetic smile. He pulled out one headphone and continued with his poem, spitting it right into my ear. Urgh.
Robert Burns is unavoidable on a visit to Scotland. There are statues and pictures of him everywhere. Buildings bear plaques commemorating where he slept one night / drank one drink / glanced in the general direction / nearly entered but decided to keep walking. Speaking of plaques, I love this:
4. Diss William Wallace
Ooh it was tempting to ask a local if the Wallace Monument was built in honour of Mel Gibson. But I didn't. But wouldn't that be fun? Rather like going to New Zealand and commenting that it's much greener than the rest of Australia.
5. Go on a Health Kick
I took my jogging gear to Scotland where it languished in my suitcase. I ate chips, drank beer, more chips, more beer, had some bacon, more bacon, bit more bacon... and now I cannot find my waist. Personally, it's not the kind of place where you crave a garden salad. The healthiest thing I ate was coleslaw, and it being Easter meant everything was washed down with a chocolate egg chaser. I loved it but I'm paying for it now.
So there you have it, my list of things not to do in Scotland. Any to add?
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One or two of you might recall that we went to Scotland over Easter. We loved every minute. Scotland is just fantastic and we are huge fans. We saw and did so much that I could easily fill this blog up with posts about the place.
Instead of doing that, and I do reserve my right to write more posts about it in the near future, here is my list of "Top 5 Things NOT to do in Scotland."
1. Be English
Sorry people of England, but come on. It should come as no surprise that a Scot is unlikely to share their last Rolo with you.
Because of our son's accent, people would think we were English at first - and perfectly pleasant they were about it too. But nine times out of ten upon learning we are an Australian family living in London, they weren't shy about sharing what they think of England and the English in general. It wasn't very complimentary.
But don't be upset. I think you're lovely.
2. Leave your warm coat in London
I thought I was packing for a holiday in SPRING. You know Spring? When the flowers come out and it's warmish? I thought I'd be wearing long sleeve t-shirts. I packed sunscreen, a hat and my sunnies. The week before we went Scotland sweltered in record-breaking temperatures of twenty two degrees. Well, guess what? It was frigging freezing. And wet. I ended up buying wellies and a raincoat, which I am gloriously modelling in this quality holiday snap:
We saw horizontal rain and snow. Even so, I barely saw an umbrella (except mine) and I couldn't get over seeing people wearing t-shirts in freezing temperatures - often buying ice-cream. Impressive.
3. Dislike Robert Burns
Robert Burns is the Scottish poet who wrote Auld Lang Syne. "Dislike" is a strong word, I think I'm more indifferent to him.
My issue with Robert Burns stems from many years ago, when I was on an overnight bus from London to Glasgow - which I would never, ever recommend except if I didn't like you. I sat next to a man who was appalled I knew so little about him and felt it his duty to rectify this by reciting the very long Burns poem about a haggis. I caught the word "pudding" and not much else. I could feel myself going a bit mad. In an attempt to signal to him that I was more interested in sleep than haggis poetry, I put my headphones on with a foreigner's apologetic smile. He pulled out one headphone and continued with his poem, spitting it right into my ear. Urgh.
Robert Burns is unavoidable on a visit to Scotland. There are statues and pictures of him everywhere. Buildings bear plaques commemorating where he slept one night / drank one drink / glanced in the general direction / nearly entered but decided to keep walking. Speaking of plaques, I love this:
4. Diss William Wallace
Ooh it was tempting to ask a local if the Wallace Monument was built in honour of Mel Gibson. But I didn't. But wouldn't that be fun? Rather like going to New Zealand and commenting that it's much greener than the rest of Australia.
5. Go on a Health Kick
I took my jogging gear to Scotland where it languished in my suitcase. I ate chips, drank beer, more chips, more beer, had some bacon, more bacon, bit more bacon... and now I cannot find my waist. Personally, it's not the kind of place where you crave a garden salad. The healthiest thing I ate was coleslaw, and it being Easter meant everything was washed down with a chocolate egg chaser. I loved it but I'm paying for it now.
So there you have it, my list of things not to do in Scotland. Any to add?
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