beating depression

For most of my life, I've experienced depression to some degree. Some things have helped achieve breakthroughs in reducing it.

But the biggest one was about 4 weeks ago. Somehow, from out of nowhere, my little pea-brain said, "I accept depression as a part of myself." I haven't had any depression for a month.

Worming through the boredom - 28 days to go

Victorians may remember the last time they experienced a long election campaign. 1992, the ALP under Joan Kirner was suffering under the Pyramid Building Society Collapse, selling the State Bank and other issues. A long campaign was called in the vain hope it might somehow save the ALP.

It didn't work...and it won't work for John Howard now.

And how could John Howard disown the worm - has he disowned part of his own family? (Meoooooooooooooooooooooooow!)

38 days to go - countdown to Australia's future

Australia really has to make up it's mind this time.

Do we want to be true to our fair-minded nature or continue down a path of nastiness, divisiveness, spin-doctoring, head-kicking and diversion tactics?

Sure, in terms of the 2 largest parties (I refuse to call them "major") it's more Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee than ever.

So look below the surface. Analyse. Think carefully about what values really matter. Then weigh up your preferences carefully.

Dick Pratt - lots of fat

So multi-billionaire Dick Pratt and VISY get fined $36 million.

How much money did they gain via the cartel arrangement - why not make that the amount of the fine?

What about VISY's attempt to slug a $120 per annum admininistration fee on customers with one recycling bin? More abuse of market power...

Please, are any political parties committed to strengthening the Trade Practices Act to stop abuse of market power, whether monopoly or not?

the very samesame 25

Basically, if you're a Sydney gayboy (or a rich Melbourne one) , you're more likely to be considered an influential gay or lesbian in Australia http://www.samesame.com.au/25

OK, if this is an Australian survey, surely all queer Aussies would at least be able to recognise the names.

Strike 1: I only recognised 11 of 25 at 1st reading; one more became clearer on reading the bios. 200% agreement on Justice Michael Kirby, David Marr, Bob Brown and Anthony Venn-Brown, relaxed re 8 others. 13 who the faquawe? And where are Ian Roberts and Rodney Croome?

Strike 2: Why only gays and lesbians (sigh)? Where are the BTI? (samsex didn't even have the courtesy to answer my e-mail on this)

Strike 3 (and it's definitely inning over): Tom McFeely? A man who admits he "doesn't understand lesbian culture?" A man who gets an exemption from equal opportunity law on the gender identity attribute when trans and intersex people aren't even an issue? This MSG (misogynist separatist gayboy) from a bygone era doesn't even have a CLUE about the community. He can't run a venue without residents complaining. His community support is at best minuscule. Sorry, but I don't want someone like that "influencing" me.

Yes, very same same - and overall, survey very irrelevant.

With apologies to Carole King: the PM's referendum

So , having tried all the wedge and personal dirt tactics. John Howard's trying a new shock tactic - a gentler, kinder Liberal Party.

I would love it if the coalition went ahead with a referendum on recognising indigenous Australians on our Constitution. Goddess knows our long-suffering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders deserve it.

But can I believe that would happen if the L/NP were re-elected? No, I can't. For nearly 12 years this has been a government that has shown no humanity about anything. All of a sudden it becomes caring and sharing? Sorry, don't trust you...

Nup. With apologies to Carole King, my ode to the PM's announcement:

And it's too late, baby, now it's too late.
Though you kinda did try to make it.
Something inside has died and you can't hide
And you just can't fake it

It's too late...

Anthony Venn-Brown - a gutsy legend

I finally had the pleasure of meeting Anthony and hearing him on his visit to Melbourne this week.

I find this person amazing and inspirational. That he can build bridges with what seems like a strictly anti-gay hierarchy (as distinct from the whole organisation and its membership) is almost unbelievable - especially to people like me who have seen some anti-gay people on their worst behaviour.

In the old days, the phrase was a "gentleman and a scholar", nowadays it's "he's a dude."* Both phrases apply to Anthony.

* (not intended to be gender specific)

http://www.anthonyvennbrown.com/

Consistent standards - race card a trick deal against Federal Coalition

A few years ago, gangs were targeting clothing stores taking away expensive running shoes and "track" type of gear.

Obviously, these people have failed to integrate into society and need to be deported...except,n hang on, they were Caucasians born in Australia.

I think the only people can't integrate into Australia are most of the Federal Coalition - they can't integrate into decent human values that deep down, most Australians share.

A Warne-ing

Shane Warne this week spoke out on the upcoming tour of Australia by India, saying niggle will make for good cricket. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22526270-5001505,00.html

Actually Shane, skillful batting, bowling and fielding will make for good cricket. Niggle, sledging and the rest belong in the rubbish bin.

Bradman and Woodfull must be turning in their graves.

Howard...very clever politican...regardless of who is destroyed

John Howard is a very clever politician when it comes to attacking opponents...including those in his own party.

Malcolm Turnbull is now effectively wedged (or is that "in the Gunn") over the Tasmanian pulp mill. More people are likely to campaign against him in his seat of Wentworth. It won't help him in retaining that seat.

Does John Howard lose sleep over that? One less leadership threat for him to worry about. After all, the PM has already neutralised Peter Costello over the "team job" issue. If the Liberal win and Howard retains Bennelong, he'll find a way to weasel out of any succession plan deal. If the Liberals win but Howard loses Bennelong, well not John's problem.

But if the Liberals lose (regardless of Bennelong) Howard can then say it was Costello's bad image that brought us down and shift the blame off himself - thereby taking Pete down with him.

Brendan Nelson, watch your back. John Howard is a very politician for sure…and he’ll exercise that cleverness wherever his egoic insecurities need him to.

The tragic waste of footballers

First things first. Sympathies and condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of Chris Mainwaring. A terrible loss at a relatively young age.

How many of us, especially us poor wageslaves dream of making lots of money early in life and being able to retire by 40, forever running off to live on a beach while some sexy person rubs suntan cream into our back? Hands going up everywhere?

AFL footballers (and those of other codes, possibly other sports) have the chance to do just this. They have a unique skill, they earn their money honestly. Yet it seems time after time we hear of waste through substances, sex scandals and all the rest.

So how much effort is put into financial management, savings plans and all the rest? Surely it's time the clubs, the players' managers and the codes offered financial management skills as part of everything else? Maybe then the money wouldn't be wasted on unhealthy things?

And maybe we won't lose someone so early again.