Just found Cyberfamilias

OMG my mom joined facebook is very very funny. ROFL.



I'm an official Michelle Slatalla (of the NY Times) fan. Until I read the rest of her articles - which will put an end to my constructive evening catching up on the w-league!

Beware the church of climate change!

Bloody good article actually. Imagine my shock when I discover the author is Miranda Devine, whom I love to hate. What that does prove however is that being female does not make you an authority on feminism. Perhaps it will encourage more men to become such. LOL.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/miranda-devine/beware-the-church-of-climate-alarm/2008/11/26/1227491635989.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

Domestic Moddess - everything including the kitchen sink

I want a new kitchen sink. I know that other people use dishwashers but generally speaking I don't find them a significant time saver.

What I would like though is a kitchen sink set of three. Not two. I would like a sink for soaking, a sink for washing and a sink for rinsing. They don't have to be large.

I would really like a one way water flow through them, especially as our water temperature is quite low. If the hottest cleannest water started in the rinse sink and then flowed through to the wash sink with some detergent added on the way and then ended up, dirty and unloved, in the soak sink. That would be pretty cool.

One could easily [lol] make a small waterfall series with a detergent reservoir enroute.

Beachobatics meet smart mobs! WANT!

I am in love with these photos. SMH - Lost art of beachobatics - photos by George Caddy - exhibition opening at State Library on Monday.

Now I want all the acrobats I know to call all their friends and meet me on Bondi on Sunday - but when - and who - and how - that's the problem! Setting up the smart mob. It's supposed to be seamless, automatic and autonomic!

Mary Poppins strikes fear into the heart of merely mortals

I am in supercalifragilistic organisational mode. I think this is something that all mothers hit once or twice a year. It's too late the week before school starts! Everything must be applied for and co-ordinated before December or you miss out.

There have been parallels with my whole life what with partners being overseas, parents downsizing, jobs being chucked, etc. etc.

insert chart here...

I am now officially OCD. I am color coding everything. I was pleased to find out that I"m not the only person who likes to have same color pegs grouped on the clothes line! Or sometimes I like different color combinations, like only orange and green in the front with blue and yellow at the back. Or blue is for me, yellow is for undies, etc. Ditto with push pins. If I'm in a yellow is for personal and blue is for school mood then DON'T jam a green pin on the board! I now offically hate blue and yellow. I have moved on.

When this gets too much for me, my answer is to give up hanging the washing out and revert to the drier. I've tried chucking tantrums and/or calling a strike and/or having a family meeting resulting in the Treaty of Versailles.

Previous result? Two lots of cleaners reducing me to nervous breakdown by their aggressive use of bleach and sugarsoap and scourers, scratching the surface off all of our stainless steel appliances and the bathroom cabinets and the glass doors. Even after I pointed this out, then left out paper towel and proper cleaning products. They still used their own whenever I wasn't there. They even carried them in brand name cleaning product canisters, but I checked - sugar soap and bleach.

Latest result? Sensitive new age partner (SNAP) reduced me to nervous breakdown by scratching the surface off all the new (ish) lino demonstrating his willingness to help and his complete inability to be instructed. My fault for talking wrong.

Agreement reached at the latest Yalta Conference? Clear color coded delineation of all roles in the family corporation. Regular meetings to report to the bored. Sackings are definitely on the cards if we don't meet our targets. Acknowledgement that HOUSEWORK IS THE HEAT DEATH OF THE UNIVERSE. There is no defeating entropy!

Second Law of Thermodynamics btw. as quoted below by Dr James Kranz

The heart of your question concerns the equilibrium state of the universe, and how the one of the laws of thermodynamics, that “entropy always increases”, seems to be defied by the buildup of a net charge difference between materials that shows up as static electricity. I need to spend a little time on thermodynamics. At its essence, the thermodynamics of a system really describes an energy balance; like balancing a checkbook, the energy going into a system or flowing out of a system is in balance with the rest of the world. (Money is a VERY good analogy to energy in a thermodynamic sense). Here is my favorite description of the laws of thermodynamics in a colloquial sense:

1) You can’t break even (i.e. entropy always increases).
2) You can break even, but only when hell freezes over (i.e. you can stop entropy from changing/increasing at absolute zero temperature).
3) Hell isn’t going to freeze over (i.e. though you can get close, you can’t get to absolute zero).

All changes of energy are in balance on the scale of the universe; locally
we can change the balance of energy in apparent defiance of the first law of thermodynamics. It takes substantial effort to roll a large rock up a hill; perched on the top of the hill, it retains potential energy that would be released if the boulder rolls back down the hill under the force of gravity. Static electricity is a lot like the energetic state achieved when the builder is perched at the top of a hill but has not begun rolling down.

McStupid Seared Chicken Mumbai Ads

I am an idiot. As if my polite complaint will make a difference! But just in case, I have just put down my irate pen (after an evening of pleasure at the children's school) because honestly! It's been a rather busy day. I have a quick browse of the news when I get home.

80 killed in a terrorist attack in Mumbai

and I have to listen to the hiss and sizzle of seared McChicken breast before I can see news?

Tasteless and I don't mean the food!

I think we need some McCorpseorate responsibility.

Remember the Mirabal Sisters - Day 1 of 16 Days of Activism

Three Mirabal sisters, political activists from the Dominican Republic, "The Unforgettable Butterflies" were assassinated on November 25th, 1960 on the orders of Rafael Trujillo, then leader of the Republic.

Mirabal sisters 25th anniversary of their death stamp. Wikipedia

16 Days of Activism is a period of global campaigning during which thousands of people and organisations all over the world take a stand against gender-based violence. The period commences on 25 November with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on 10 December, World Human Rights Day. On 25 November we remember the three Mirabal sisters, political activists from the Dominican Republic who were assassinated on that day in 1960.

The 16 Days event, now in its 18th year, was started by the Centre for Women's Global Leadership. The organisation choose the campaign’s beginning and end dates – 25 November and 10 December, Human Rights Day – to highlight that violence against women is a human rights violation.

Scores of diverse groups and individuals – including Amnesty International – now take part in 16 Days, together calling for an end to all types of violence against women. Each year they organise events in more than 130 countries across the globe, including demonstrations, conferences, exhibitions and performances.

This year, Amnesty is calling on people to take action by contacting your local MP and urging her/him to push for sustained and meaningful Government commitment to a National Plan of Action to eliminat

Stop the Violence - Women Speak Out

"If you're not outraged you're not paying attention!" is my favorite feminist t-shirt (outside of always thinking outside the box), so I don't know why I'm so shocked at the domestic violence figures recently released. But I am, because it is shocking.

Approx half of ALL homicides in Australia are women murdered at the hands of near and dear ones. It's apparently hard to get the figures because not all near and dear are married and sometimes death isn't immediate and if the perpetrator kills themselves then it doesn't count... statistically that is.

 

In Memory of Evelina Gavrilovic

Photo and Quote from Sydney Morning Herald article by Ruth Pollard

Symbol of protest ... after Evelina Gavrilovic died activists against domestic violence put red roses on the Parliament House fence.

"Our key concern is that the increased number that we are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg and that there are a lot more women dying in domestic violence-related fatalities than what we know about," said Betty Green, the co-ordinator of the NSW Domestic Violence Coalition.
Despite education campaigns, there were still significant misunderstandings about domestic violence in the community and in key services such as police, leading many to miss clear danger signs women and children were at extreme risk, she warned.
"Women do not die by accident, they don't die because of a mistake, they die because of a culmination of a repeated pattern of violent behaviour," she said. "There is no passion, there is no love in a domestic violence fatality. It is really, really important that we name it for what it is - in most cases it is premeditated, it is anger, it is revenge and it is the ultimate act of control."

from Shameful Secret of Our Family Murder Epidemic, SMH by Ruth Pollard

A review of the response to domestic violence by various agencies has been successful in implementing changes which reduce the death toll significantly. Victoria is the first state in Australia to establish a review although the NSW Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, recommended the establishment of a domestic violence review team in 2006.

The NSW Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, first recommended the establishment of a domestic violence review team in 2006, after reviewing police practice in response to domestic violence. Since then dozens more women and children have died, and NSW is no closer to finding out why.
"We can see that looking at … the way families and individuals interact with a range of different government departments and services providers … can give you the benefit, certainly in hindsight, of seeing what you could have done differently," Mr Barbour said.
"By trying to identify factors that continually crop up where you see fatalities in a domestic situation will help identify risks and allow you to intervene in a relationship earlier, with the obvious benefit of preventing a fatality."
The review would also help agencies to improve their capacity to respond to potentially fatal situations, he said.

Again an excerpt from another article in SMH by Ruth Pollard

Go Ruth Pollard! 3 SWORD AWARD!

Only this is serious folks. What can we do to prevent women and children dying in NSW? Petition the Hon Verity Firth MP, Minister for Women and chair of The Premier's Council on Preventing Violence Against Women. Only recently set up and still finding its feet mind!

Donate to the NSW Women's Refuge Movement directly. And lobby your Federal Minister for catch up funding - more information and letter templates here!

Finally, celebrate 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence! from November 25th to December 10th. I'm totally on board this one! Now, how to celebrate uniquely but ... ninjaly.

the malaise almost over - i'm almost back to andragy

I might have to go all time traveller over the stack of half posts accumulating like fluff around the corners of my mind.

Stay posted for yesterday's new(s). When you need me, I'll be then.

Family Life 1949 to 2009 - not so diffrent akshully

This exact same scenario dominated my weekend. Where was Educational Collaborator Florence King, M.S. Assistant Professor Home Economics, University of Illinois when I needed her 10 years ago! Our conclusions are eerily identical.



I love this video. And it is so 2009. Mere cosmetic differences. Women are in the paid workforce, self included occasionally, but I would argue that this is a class issue not a feminist victory. Women have always worked if the family has needed it.

My current meme is wondering if it was ever possible for gender to have the same method of revolution as class, race, religion, ethnicity or sexuality. All of which have revolutionised society far more successfully!

More on that one to come. Meanwhile address all correspondence to the Chief Executive Officer of The Family.

But wait, there's more..

"The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family: A Leadership Fable About Restoring Sanity To The Most Important Organization In Your Life"
Patrick M. Lencioni ISBN: 978-0-7879-9532-4

In this unique and groundbreaking book, business consultant and New York Times best-selling author Patrick Lencioni turns his sights on the most important organization in our lives—the family. As a husband and the father of four young boys, Lencioni realized the discrepancy between the time and energy his clients put into running their organizations and the reactive way most people run their personal lives. Having experienced the stress of a frantic family firsthand, he and his wife began applying some of the tools he uses with Fortune 500 companies at home, and with surprising results.

Perhaps hubby can get it as a business expense? I think he has some others by the same author. I've already watched Florence King, M.S.

Here's a great new reality show. One family, 2 gurus. Who will survive?

New Wiimote Whiteboard post on Proscrastineering

http://procrastineering.blogspot.com/

is Johnny Chung Lee's blog and it dignifies what i spend too much of my life doing. I love it.

On my own personal wiimote whiteboard project. Success! so far, albeit limited. A draft version is done although there were lots of fiddly bits and there is only 40% usefulness. I know what needs to be changed though and am going to document the process this time.

Vernacular Video

more from Howard Rheingold of Smart Mobs and other fame.

also Vernacular Video - by Tom Sherman, [Note: the following is an expanded version of "Vernacular Video," originally published in shorter form in Les Fleurs du Mal, issue #2, Montreal, Quebec, September 2006; and is now in print in the Video
Vortex Reader: Responses to YouTube, Geert Lovink and Sabine Niederer
(eds.), Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures, 2008.]

Seven year old skeptic!

My seven year old has just handed me a tooth and asked for a dollar. I asked if she wanted to put it under her pillow, as per tradition, cause I know she loves tradition.

She said there was no need to. She knows the tooth fairy is me because a while back she put an old tooth under her pillow and waited and waited. No tooth fairy.

Then she wrapped it up and told me she'd lost a tooth. And found a dollar under her pillow the next morning. So, now she knows the tooth fairy is me.

I've just given her another dollar for solid scientific thinking - hypothesis and repeatable experiment. She is a born skeptic. Go geek girls everywhere!

ps. Parents, don't be lazy with those lost teeth! Stow the sentimentality. Clever children recycle.

Barack Obama into the Whitehouse - Yay...

Yay.. it is historic. It is wonderful. Why do I feel let down? Ever since it became a Barack/Hillary battle for the Whitehouse it's felt like a lose-lose situation.

I tried to explain to my children why it was historically wonderful that Barack Obama was the new US president, only I would have liked it if it had been woman.

Nine year old daughter said, "haven't we had a woman president in Australia?" Sighhhhhh.

My question is WHY haven't we had a woman 'president' in Australia. America would rather vote for a black man than a white woman. And it goes without saying that a black woman would have NO chance, even if she was Oprah. WHY??????????????

Persistence of Vision - It's Second Light!

Bloody hell! My film-making background is finally useful. Briefly. Microsoft's fab new technology is utilising persistence of vision. Beautifully.

Lucretius, epicurean poet, scientist, philosopher is the first to write of the phenomenon. (I must read "De Rerum Natura"! Santayana speaks of the 3 great philosopher poets, Lucretius, Dante and Goethe.)

The Chinese inventor, Ting Huan, is said to have created the first zoetrope in 180AD. Zoetropes, thaumatropes and other similar devices delighted the Victorians and prefaced the Lumiere brothers' first films.

Now Microsoft have developed a seemingly unanchored display, effectively interlacing images. Think of the thaumotrope which unites two disparate images. Secondlight projects two separate images at the same time. The first is captured on the bottom screen. The second is invisible until you place another screen above it.

It is a blindingly simple example of looking at things a new way.



Perhaps they'll ditch SecondLight for Lucretia (in honor of the Roman poet who first identified the phenomenon) or Zoe2 (in honor of my daughter).