Sunday, April 23, 2006


Cooking for one seems to be an acquired artform. Thank goodness for plastic containers that keep the extra food for the following evenings' meal. Whimsical post, huh!
Since I was first self-aware of myself, my relationship with the world, and my need for God, sometime around the age of 9 or 10, I felt secure in my world view.

The events of the past four months however have opened up a chasm-like split in how I view the ways of the world and the ways of God.

I believe in the power of love, of forgiveness, of realising ones own fragility and vulnerability, of acknowledging weakness and failings, above all noting that no-one is perfect in this mortal life, but we keep must keep trying to maintain relationships. Something in the above words echoes the call to love one another, and thus love God, for me.

However society has now decreed the cult of the individual, where one person can claim to be a victim and the other person becomes the powerful evil aggressor who is offered no opportunity other than in adversarial conflict to put ones viewpoint.

As a Christian not wishing to cause distress I chose not to participate in adversarial conflict, and I have taken to heart the call of Jesus to turn the other cheek. I have chosen the moral high ground to act justly and morally. I have been true to myself and my values

In this paradoxical situation 'twixt Christian values and modern societies 'cult of the individual', I have found myself at peace, with a deepened faith and a greater love. Ever conscious of my failings, I also know all that is good within me.

The words of Les Miserables echo continually in my mind and heart and soul: "To love another person is to see the face of God." True love wishes the best for the other, even when one is left bereft and broken-hearted. I may be an incurable romantic, but it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

I have taken the path of patience, goodwill, and acceptance. Life is short and truly I have found love leads to suffering.

We live only once and the joys and woes of life truly are the stuff of reality not dreams!

Friday, April 14, 2006


No I did not get an early Easter egg, instead I was given a paschal chocolate lamb. I had heard of them, but never seen one. It came with an Alleluia, Christ resurrected with banner of triumph holy card. In Australia the easter egg, bunny or bilby are more popular but I understand that in Germany and Poland the chocolate lamb is still around. Indeed, it has only been over the past 200 years that the rabbit became an easter symbol, introduced by some greeting card maker.

Easter greetings to all my readers! May something of new life and resurrection come your way over the next few days!

Sunday, March 19, 2006


tfisb and SO in Canberra on January 26th
Climbed onto some scales on Friday, I have lost 2 stone since January. Worry and smoking are to blame. I am eating well and actually enjoying the occasional Guinness or stout. It's been busy the last few days, friends and relatives have stayed overnight and it's wonderful to not be the only body in the house.

I am sleeping for longer periods, and actually do not have to get out of bed for a cigarette at 4.00am any more :)

I slept in thise morning deliberately and did not go to 8.00am Mass, I went tonight at 6.00pm at the church that is just down the road. I was pleasantly surprised and uplifted by the people that I knew there. I have maintained contact at my old parish, about 10 minutes away since moving to Nos 72, but it may do me good to start attending the local church rather than the building which has so many memories of good times.

Change comes to us all, and it's important to make changes...

Here's to change!

Sunday, March 12, 2006

It's amazing how much time 7 days is.
Last Sunday I was at a really low ebb, and feeling totally overwhelmed by the turn in my life situation.

Interviews with various professional and government organisations has been a great help.

Several days leave from work for the first time this year has also enabled me to relax and chill out and replenish my adrenaline and bonheur de vivre.

So I continue to be patient and accepting of what life is currently offering me.

I want to thank my friends and relatives both locally and internationally for all the support in emails, phonecalls, prayers and other ways....

I am amazed at the generosity - practical, spiritual, monetary, legally and emotionally - that I have been shown by so many.

I have not walked alone the past months but have been helped by so many with different ways of supporting me that I could never have imagined.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!

Saturday, February 25, 2006

I have learnt over the past month that perception is now more important in modern society than the truth.

One can act honourably, with dignity, and wear the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune but the law is not interested.

So it's great to be back home, with the familar but altered surroundings. There is much cleaning and gardening to do so I'll only be popping into check comments occasionally.

I do read them all and my emails and appreciate all the support from so many!!!!!!!

Keep on praying my friends, for healing and for a change in perception. thanks G.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Life is always full of unexpected moments.

I have tried in my life to act justly love tenderly and walk humbly, however the ones I love the most often get the worst side of me, tired, grumpy, and lazy. My motor mouth is not always in control and I have said things that I did not mean.

Regrets and shame diminish me but I get back up on my feet and try again each new day.

Life has just dealt me a huge blow. So I know now, that my energies in 2006 are going to be in a few different areas than the past three years.

Gentle readers, if you are a praying person; pray for me that I will be honest with myself and become a better person.

thanks G_72

Saturday, January 07, 2006

It's the end of an era.
The Disease Outbreaks board at the Agonist has been archived.
An increasingly useful reference during the SARS experience, and providing snippets of information on Ebola and other diseases around the globe it attracted much attention from medical professionals, scientists and amateur googlists and yahooists.

In late 2004 and early 2005 it was the main clearing house for a deepening understanding of the interaction of the H5N1 virus within domestic and wildbirds. A careful scrutiny of translations of Boxun reports and the use of proMed and traditional media reporting ensured the agonist rode the wave of best practice reporting. Eventually we saw the MSM jump aboard and create an almost hysterical reporting of the inexorable spread of the disease westwards, feeding posters on various other bulletin boards with fear, doubt and uncertainty.

H5N1 remains a problem predominantly for birds. Humans that maintain ultra-close contact with birds, ie sucking snot out of their beaks or playing with chicken heads can succumb to the disease. My 'informed' prognostication is that the chance of a human pandemic remains below 8%.

Adieu, the Disease Outbreaks board!

Thursday, January 05, 2006

SCAMMERS, DO NOT SEND MONIES TO ANY OF THESE JOKERS!

Darwin Michelle darwin_michelle2002@yahoo.com

Helen Bryant who writes thus

Hello Dear,

Good day to you, my name is Helen Bryant, I am an artist with my husband James Bryant, we are the owner of Hellen-Bryant Arts Inc. Inc. I reside in London, United Kingdom with my two kids, four cats, one dog and the love of my life my husband James Bryant. It is definitely a full house. I have been into artworks since I was a small child. That gives me about 23 years of experience. I majored in art in high school and took a few college art courses. Most of my work are done in either pencil or airbrush mixed with color pencils. I have recently added designing and creating artwork on the computer. I have been selling my art for the last 3 years and have had my work featured on trading cards, prints and in magazines. I do MARKET my art works & galleries to private companies in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA).

I face difficulties when it comes to PAYMENT, This is because my customers in America are always offering to pay me with U.S POSTAL MONEY ORDERS OR CASHER'S CHEQUE,
etc etc YUCK

clarklife@gmail.com - Clark Mathias (October 08, 2005), 196.207.1.214, RIPE network Africa.
williamsugo12@yahoo.com - williamsugo (October 07, 2005), 195.166.242.109, RIPE network Africa.
Solosammi3@yahoo.com - Solomon Gutie (October 07, 2005), 66.178.40.2, newskies satellite provider, presumably Africa.
cleflinkexpress@deliveryman.com - Ademola Kareem (October, 2005), unknown address.
womanshopltd@yahoo.com - Adeola (October 6, 2005), unknown address.
teekgates@hotmail.com - Olamide Gates (October 06, 2005) 66-178-40-2.reverse.newskies.net, Virginia, USA -
g_buba2005@yahoo.com - Genevieve/Wisdom Buba (August 20, 2005) 419 scam, RIPE network Africa
arina_khadel2004@yahoo.fr - Arina Khadel (Augst 20, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network Africa
chigiokeawelle_esq@lawyer.com - Cigioke Awelle (August 20, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network, Africa
vivia_v@yahoo.fr - Vivian (August 19, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network, Africa
arina_khadel2004@yahoo.fr - Arina Khadel (August 19, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network, Africa
mercy02_inc@mail.austria.com - Mercy Cole (August 18, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, Lagos Nigeria
simonekabila@yahoo.com - Simone Kabila (August 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.62, RIPE network, Africa
lucasgantsha@excite.com - Lucas Gantsha (August 16, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 80.179.250.149, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network, Africa)
stephenbamba@yahoo.com - Stephen Bamba (August 16, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.62, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network, Africa)
merabel2010@yahoo.com - Mark Johnson (August 14, 2005) scam, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.145.179, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
e_baldry2k1@yahoo.co.uk - Eric Baldry (August 5, 2005) The same old scam... this time they have actually geared their message towards the arts and antiques. IP ADDRESS: core-dvb-r.skannet.com, Ibadan Nigeria
paul_kay64@yahoo.com - Paul Kay (August 4, 2005) IP ADDRESS: 81.199.7.9 , Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network again)
j4john_doh@yahoo.co.uk - John Doherty (August 04, 2005) seems like another scam IP ADDRESS: 81.18.36.83, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network).
cvoller01@yahoo.com - C Voller (July 2005) overpayment scam.
jude_williams01@oleco.net - Jude Williams (July 27, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.67.50, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network) (Nigeria)
matkoroma@yahoo.com - Mat Koroma (July 27, 2005), 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.18, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Ripe Network)
paul_williams_1981@yahoo.com - Paul Williams (July 27, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.71.32, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network) (Nigeria)
illar_neanita2@yahoo.com - Villiran Nanita (July 27, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.134, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
gibkone@yahoo.com - Gibison Kone (July 25, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 80.255.59.94, Amsterdam, Nethlands (RIPE network).
brightdordzi@yahoo.com - fifi jones (July 24, 2005) fraudulent credit card, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.93.97, Amsterdam Netherlands (RIPE network).
cvoller01@yahoo.com - Voller (July, 2005) fraudelent money order scam, IP ADDRESS: unkown
ros4gueii@yahoo.com - Rose Guei (July 22, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.136.113.98, African Country.
john_kokone@walla.com - John Kokone (July 20, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.78.26, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network) (Nigeria)
vivianleo@oleco.com - Vivian Leo - (July 19, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.78.26, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network)
martin_joe1@yahoo.fr - Martin Joe - (July 18, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.136.112.242, Afrinic network (African country)
paulwilliams2@walla.com - Paul Williams - (July 18, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.73.84, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network)
mm0jim0@yahoo.co.in - Martial Jim - (July 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 80.248.64.59, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network)
james_kukou01@yahoo.fr - James Kukou - (July 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.136.107.214, AFRINIC network (African country)
mr_umunnajames@yahoo.com - James Umunna - (July 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.152.12, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
ken_biz101@yahoo.com - Larry Ken / Matin William - (July 16, 2005) Fraudulent Art purchase attempt, IP ADDRESS: 82.193.43.56, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
sexyblkleon@hotmail.com - Larry Ken -(July 15, 2005) Fraudulent Art purchase attempt, IP ADDRESS: 82.193.43.56, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
lambert_k01@yahoo.fr (July 13, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.75.153, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
alvugo_01@yahoo.fr (July 13, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.111, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
lambert_k01@yahoo.fr (July 13, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.75.153, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
mcahty5000@yahoo.com (July 13, 2005) Scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.153.198.145 , Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
evangelistmarky2k@yahoo.co.uk (June 14, 2005) 4-1-9 cashier cheque scam, IP ADDRESS: 216.139.164.94 Panamsat Corporation, Elenwood, GA, USA
lizy_k20051@yahoo.it (June 13, 2005) Lizy Kama, 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.8 Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
kalaharion@yahoo.com (June 09, 2005) Hendrix Taiwo, 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: unknown
davidjulious@yahoo.com (June 08, 2005) David Julious, 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.130: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
barr_james70@yahoo.com (MAy 27, 2005) Barrister James Obioma, or Barr James (this guy has been doing this for years...) - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 80.248.64.59: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
ceaserwilliams1@yahoo.co.in (May 27, 2005) Ceasar Williams - 4-1-9 Scam IP ADDRESS:80.179.236.210: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
pricepayee@hotmail.com (May 26, 2005) Abraham Collins - 4-1-9 Scam IP ADDRESS: 82.206.242.10: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
johnpaul_535@yahoo.com (May 25, 2005) John Paul - Credit Card Scam IP ADDRESS: 80.88.141.140: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
ben7k22001@yahoo.co.uk (May 24, 2005) Ben Khumasi - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 198.54.202.210: Pretoria, South Africa
ahmedmohamedballa@yahoo.com (May 24, 2005) Mohamed Balla - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 212.199.254.190: unknown location
koffijkope@yahoo.co.uk (May 24, 2005) Koffi Kope - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 80.248.64.59 Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
lordalfred101@yahoo.com (May 24, 2005) Lord Alfred - Cheque Scam IP ADDRESS: 192.116.155.248: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
dmarc@conexcol.com (May 23, 2005) Marc Duchene - Online Fraud IP ADDRESS: 213.185.106.194: Nigeria. (google has Marc Duchene fraud attempts at other sites).
barrmarkphilip1@yahoo.com (May 23, 2005) Mark Philip Esq. - Nigerian Scam... IP ADRESS: Amsterdam, Netherlands
melizy_k2005@yahoo.it (May 23, 2005) Lizy Kama - Nigerian Scam... IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.8 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
jacklee_1979@yahoo.com (May 19, 2005) Jackie Lee - Certified Cheque Scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.185.106.3 - Nigeria
linda_smith00@yahoo.com (May 12, 2005) Linda Smith - Check Scam, Unknown IP ADDRESS
milolastore1@yahoo.com (May 4, 2005) Damilola Williems - Cheque Scam, Unknown IP ADDRESS
dube1_roy@yahoo.com (May 3, 2005) Dube Roy - Same old scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.113 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
CINDY_van0002@yahoo.com (May 3, 2005) Cindy Van - Same old scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.113 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
sandra_janet0002@yahoo.com (May 3, 2005) Sandra Janet - Same old scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.113 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
d1baker@yahoo.com (May 1, 2005) desmond baker - Typical Cheque Fraud, IP ADDRESS: 192.116.94.71 - Amsterdam, Netherlands, again.
bensonandbenson@yahoo.com (April 30, 2005) Benson - Typical Fraud, Unknown IP ADDRESS
sandra_janet002@yahoo.com (April 28, 2005) Sandra Janet - Cheque Fraud, Unknown IP ADDRESS
nathaniel_gorski@yahoo.com (April ?, 2005) Nathaniel Gorski - Cheque Fraud. Unknown IP ADDRESS.
womanshop2005@yahoo.com (April 26, 2005) Miss Adeola Afolabi - classic fraud... (can't they get a little more creative???) - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.149, once again Amsterdam, Netherlands.
acton_eric2000@yahoo.com (April 7, 2005) Acton Eric - classic certified cheque or money order scam - Unknown Address
shirley_treva@yahoo.co.uk (April 6, 2005) Shirley Treva - classic overpayment scam - IP ADDRESS: United Kingdom.
ash_garder@yahoo.com, afriukshippers@yahoo.com (April 7, 2005) Ashanti Garder, David William - classic fraud - Unknown Origin.
walex_addy@yahoo.com (April 6, 2005) wale adeniji - classic overpayment scam - Unknown Address.
shirley_treva@yahoo.co.uk (April 6, 2005) Shirley Treva - classic overpayment scam - IP ADDRESS: United Kingdom.
dashley0@juno.com (March 25, 2005) David Ashley - IP ADDRESS: 212.165.157.145 - United Kingdom
mrskokou@ozu.es, Williams Kokou, (March 24, 2005) - classic overpayment scam. - IP ADDRESS: 213.136.99.166 , Africa.
zanna_madiga@yahoo.fr, Zanna Madiga, (March 23, 2005) - classic overpayment scam. - IP ADDRESS: 213.136.116.141 - Lagos, Nigeria
rsuth@sify.com, Ann Smith, (March 23, 2005) - stolen credit card - Lagos, Nigeria
tango4all2003@yahoo.com, Tango Ugoh, (March 22, 2005) - stolen credit card - Lagos, Nigeria
james_key@mail.com, or larry_key@mail.com, (March 16, 2005) cashier cheque scam - 81.199.85.91 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
pastorjamesmaliburev@yahoo.com, (March 15, 2005) another version of overpayment scam - 80.255.59.94 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
moses_kerry@yahoo.com, (March 13, 2005) Moses Kerry - overpayment scam.
dannymills_03@yahoo.com, (March ?, 2005) Danny Mills - classic overpayment scam.
satagello_7@hotmail.com, (March 02, 2005)Caren Stagello - classic overpayment scam.
karbajanet@yahoo.fr, (February 21, 2005) Jeff - IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.246 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
mary_gallery2003@yahoo.co.uk, (February 18, 2005) Mary Johnson - IP ADDRESS: 212.199.251.45 - Israel
kateadam00@yahoo.com, (February 18, 2005) Mrs. Kate Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.176 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
benjamic2003@yahoo.com, moore_adams@yahoo.com (February 17, 2005) Dr Benjamin micheal / Mr. michell Aderson - Unknown IP ADDRESS or location
joeltobby@hotmail.com (February 17, 2005) Tobby Joel / Joel Tobby - IP ADDRESS: 65.172.4.250 - Fort Lauderdale, USA - Lagos Nigeria
banzarkunte@yahoo.fr (February 17, 2005) Barrister Kunte Banzar Esq - IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.4 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
kateadam00@yahoo.com (February 17, 2005) Mrs. Kate Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.178 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
kateadam0@yahoo.com (February 12, 2005) Mrs. Kate Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.169 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
woc343@yahoo.com (February 11, 2005) Mrs. Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.169 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
magaret_bryne@yahoo.com (February 5, 2005)Magaret Bryne - IP ADDRESS: 213.185.113.52 - Nigeria, Africa
cyrilboile@yahoo.com (February 1, 2005) Cyril Boiley - IP ADDRESS: 217.194.149.149 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
glory0022000@yahoo.fr (February 1, 2005) Miss Gloria Guei - IP ADDRESS: 213.136.116.27 - Ivory Coast, Africa
daniel_howard2005@yahoo.com Daniel Howard, (Supposedly, East Liverpool Ohio) Classic overpayment scam.
clany00002@yahoo.com (January 30, 2005) Mrs Clany - IP ADDRESS: 213.185.113.219 - MDS Solution Ltd customer, Nigeria
katebroom01@hotmail.com (January 20 - 26) Kate Broom - IP ADDRESS: Not Known - claims to be from Nigeria...
smith_1_2005_2006@yahoo.com (January 18, 2005) No Name - IP ADDRESS: 66.98.134.34 - Houston Texas
smith_1_2005_2006@keromail.com (January 18, 2005) No Name - IP ADDRESS: 66.98.134.34 - Houston Texas
willis_jacson@fastermail.com (January 10, 2005), Willis Jacson - IP ADDRESS: 193.220.26.20 - Lagos Nigeria
andersonfine@yahoo.com (January 08, 2005) Anderson Fine - Unknown Origin.
hammyx24c@yahoo.com (January 08, 2005) Keith Pinna - IP ADDRESS: 213.185.113.46 - Nigeria
john_peller@yahoo.co.uk (January 04, 2005) John Peller - IP ADDRESS: 81.199.85.11 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
simpatrading@yahoo.co.uk (December 15, 2004) Oliver Jiannan
smithdecor@yahoo.ca (December 11, 2004) John Smith, IP ADDRESS 217.194.149.146 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
jsmith4all@yahoo.ca (December 11, 2004) John Smith, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.149.146 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
jsmith4all@yahoo.ca (December 10, 2004) John Smith, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.149.146 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
dm_douglas9@yahoo.co.uk (December 10, 2004) Michael Douglas, IP ADDRESS: 62.56.189.175 - Togo Telecom, Togo
abel_smith22@yahoo.co.uk (December 6, 2004) Abel Smith, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.241.186 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
steven_gomo@yahoo.co.uk (December 1, 2004) Steven Gomo, IP ADDRESS: 193.220.188.94 - AFRIPA TELECOM COTE D'IVOIRE IS LOCATED IN ABIDJAN
ajibo23@yahoo.com (November 29, 2004) (aka: Ike Solomon, Tom Agustin Karen, supposedly NYC) IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.38 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
abletoven@yahoo.com (November 21, 2004) IP ADDRESS: 213.181.81.66 - Lagos, Nigeria
ozbite_1@yahoo.com (November 21, 2004) IP ADDRESS: 213.181.81.66 - Lagos, Nigeria, Name: Danny Alvarez
bret_lewis@fastermail.com (September 23, 2004)
Taylor Claire - barrjames03@yahoo.com
Frederick Berry - festula_lala@yahoo.com
Kola Smiths - udcbn@hotmail.com
James J Green - afajide@fastermail.com
bob brown - kelvintaylor@post.cz
DONA ELVIS - dona_elvis79@yahoo.com
ALEX PETE - a_pete2004@yahoo.com
jennifer james - jenferjames@yahoo.com
GARY ROBILLARD - judeogommuegba@yahoo.com
elmanam menkasi - edomachinegun@yahoo.com

Sunday, December 25, 2005



No, I'm not freezing up due to bird flu.
Yes, I knew the photo was being taken!

Yup! Santa knows who I am!

Monday, December 19, 2005


Australia is re-discovering the Christmas crib aka Nativity scene.
Cardinal Pell and Prime Minister John Howard are excited.
Meanwhile back in the good ol' US of A it's a "have yourself
a gory santa christmas." Knowing that several readers of this
blog are cat crazy, I leave you with the unique wonderful
Warhol Christmas picture displayed above. hattip: The Tablet.

Crowns all round! May this be a time of peace and joy and good will to all. Graham.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

All work no play makes you a dull comrade.
You are visiting aynclouters blog.
There is a fork in the road, you can choose the Commissar or the Princess.
Yes, I chose the princess (sorry analyst :D) :
HASH(0x8cabba0)
The Traditional Princess
You are generous, graceful, and practical with both
feet planted firmly on the ground. You tend to
be a little on the old-fashioned side. You
value home, hearth, and family life and love to
be of service to others.
Role Models: Snow White, Maid Marian
You are most likely to: Discover a hidden talent
for spinning straw into gold.

What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)

Year one of Bachelor of Theology is complete w00t!
5HD and 3 DI yeah!
Now I have to start reading Plato's Republic to prepare for next semester's unit on philosophy.

Monday, December 05, 2005

One noticeable thing about our perception about American culture is the annual rite of the Christmas tree. Movies, sitcoms, the simpsons (tm), southpark(tm) and the great American novel all ensure that the ROW know all about the ritual of the great fir, the decorating and the lighting of the same.

In our house, we have a tiny fir in a pot that continually grows larger and larger in its pot. Over the years it has gone from less than a foot high to now three foot high. The pots get bigger also. Sadly the size precludes huge numbers of decorations and christmas lights get hung on the wall behind the tree. Prior to bonsai christmas we had a plastic tree rescued from a white elephant stall. Sadly over the years more and more pieces went missing or broke.

However, some people go and get a real tree which creates problems: Oh Christmas Tree.
Make sure you read the comments to find out the solution to the problem. Women rule!

Sunday, December 04, 2005

The Christmas craziness has started. Exhausting days at work and sore feet at the end of the day. Customers are very grateful for the quality products they are buying, and that makes it worthwhile. I decided to go with a small Christmas Card producer from Brisbane, a 'young family man' and did not produce my own card designs this year. It worked 'whew': customers are appreciating the unique designs, rather than the catalog designs, card embossing and verses I have mixed and matched over the past 14 years or so... Another milestone: in-laws celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary currently... Ten months to go for me and mine.... commitment means always starting afresh and choosing to stay, rather than walk away. The world can pull in so many different ways in obsessions, addictions, distractions and escapes. Constancy is an interesting concept, there is always another day, another year where I find myself saying 'I do' to all my life with my partner brings.

Away from all the Christmas hype; as I try to contemplate on what the birth of the Chfrist child really means, I found this reflection worthy of note: Tis a gift to be simple aka God under the bed.

Wednesday, November 30, 2005



Click to visit:
Support World AIDS Day

Basic Information:
click here

Latest news:
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The UN has handed promotion over to The World Aids Campaign This change in the way that World AIDS Day is organised has caused some confusion among HIV & AIDS organisations. Some have chosen to adopt “Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise” as their theme for World AIDS Day 2005.

Others have, for the first time, picked their own topic for the events they’re holding this year on 1st December. In New Zealand the old slogan “condoms save lives” has resurfaced, the NZ Foundation’s poster for World AIDS Day this year features three “rings” - a popular round sweet with a hole in the middle, a traditional round flotation buoy and a condom - with the word “lifesavers” beneath. The idea of the “lifesavers” theme is to increase visibility and awareness of condoms over the summer months when sexual activity is high. Abstinence and faithfulness to one partner also make great sense to moi.

Don't be confused, the most important thing is that you follow its basic principals by raising awareness and understanding where you live and by remembering the millions living with HIV or suffering because of AIDS.

Sunday, November 20, 2005

There's a new section over at the Agonist.

Faith and Spirituality, SP and I are gonna try and dialogue about matters that neither of us really understand.

We both agree that there is an emptiness in the world and we attempt to discuss what can fill it.

Thursday, November 17, 2005


more Europe from the young travellers.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005


Europe, October 2005, as snapped by Son&GF

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Pakistan and Kashmir
harsh lands even harsher now
the Tsunami tragedy and disaster almost pales in significance compared to:
death toll rapidly approaching 80,000
over 1600 schools destroyed (approx 140 destroyed in Tsunami)
widespread disease outbreaks accentuated by increasing cold weather
failure of western / first world countries to increase financial and in kind donations of aid.
(no sexed up videos of tidal waves approaching hotels on sandy beaches does not stir the public imagination)

Australia is increasing its aid little by little, whilst Clinton and Bush (snr) get the International Rescue Committee's Freedom Award for Tsunami and Katrina.

Meanwhile The Agonist has been blogrolled at Informed Comment by Juan Cole w00t.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Ramblings on a spring evening:

Driving home from work today I had a real privilege to listen to the dramatised diary and an interview with a young doctor who spent some time on the Ugandan border with Mediciens San Frontiers (French for Doctors Without Borders).

Her tales of her sense of helplessness when she encountered malaria, parasitic infections and nutritional disorders as well as coping with a corrupt political system at the local level was invigorating.

Inspirational and enlightening it is important to realise that even sending people to assist those in disaster areas does not necessarily improve their lot. However to have tried and failed is better than not having tried at all.

I had the humbling experience of sitting with a Moslem couple the day after Ramadan ended, they had been fasting from 3.30am to 7.30pm until daylight saving began 4 days before the end of Ramadan. Makes lenten practice almost laughable. I was also moved to learn of the disrespect and abuse they receive from some of their neighbours. Their stoic acceptance of evil and inhumanity in our neighbourhood was challenging.

France is rocked by sectarian and class warfare at present, it is possible that it can occur locally in my area going by the treatment of Moslems by some white aussies.

Whilst hunger and tragedy occur and re-occur in Africa and Pakistan, to name just two, Avian Flu provides an easy cop out for people to lose concentration. mea culpa.

Friday, November 04, 2005

DID
YOU
EVER
WONDER


and using Pink Floyd too :)

hattip dr.

Friday, October 28, 2005


He agreed with me!

Tuesday, October 25, 2005


My blog is worth $1,693.62.
How much is your blog worth?

I have known many people who have been encouraged and influenced by the biographies of the military, of politicians and sports-people.

My personal favourites who inspire me tend to be people who have influenced people at a grass-roots level. Dorothy Day, Catherine de Hueck Doherty, Jean Vanier, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, CS Lewis all spring to mind.

Today I shed a tear(actually several) in honour of the memory of Rosa Parks.

Sulla Jones at the Agonist posted the wapo story, at wapo I found this list of blogs via technorati linking to the wapo story about Rosa.

Friday, October 21, 2005

Gentle readers,
the deed is done
all first year assignments
have been handed into respective lecturers
and so the wait begins
to discover what
my results
will
be...

Spring has sprung, showers have brought out many flowers and not too many snails seem to be around this year!

Current Addiction remains H5N1, aka avian flu, bird flu...

Have grabbed 3 SF novels from the local library, DVD's of Steeleye Span and Concert for George and intend to walk a little if the hayfever and asthma settle down.

and so to bed... g'nite.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Agonist Bulletin Board is having corruption woes,
meanwhile Avian Flu is still flapping around Vietnam and more recently Indonesia,
keep in touch with the latest developments: http://www.curevents.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=40

Sunday, September 04, 2005

New Orleans crisis shames Americans
By Matt Wells BBC News, Los Angeles

Matt tries to get a handle on what slowed the response.
fav line: The truth was simple and apparent to all. If journalists were there with cameras beaming the suffering live across America, where were the officers and troops?
remember:
Give me your tired , your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, well it aint so bros, it aint so. If you aint got no mo or no mo-car you aint nobody, you just get forgotten.

It's a national humiliation over in the land of the free, the poor have been overlooked, this is a challengin read from pbs: POLITICS AFTER KATRINA. So will the US national consciousness finally realise that people are people and poor blacks are not "three-fifths of a human being?" as Jesse Jackson said on Saturday. We can but hope.

Nature is a great leveler and hopefully out of this suffering and maelstrom a new day for the Ameican Black People will arise. A new 'preferential option' is possible.

What is particularly eerie after watching for years thin, ravaged human bodies on the television is the large physical size of the distressed down in Southern Louisiana.

In early 2001 the USA warned its citizens that the three most likely major disasters were hurricane, earthquake and act of terrorism. I sure hope we are not going to have a hat-trick.

Friday, August 26, 2005

Well, Friday afternoon August 26th arrived, a lovely late winter sunny afternoon. I'm given a lift by a friend to the ACT Legislative Assembly for the Australian Citizenship Ceremony where I hand in my letter of invitation. I am asked to prove my identity by showing my UK passport and given a form to change my electoral status from UK citizen to Australian. I am escorted down to Row C. Row's A, B and C have Bibles on the seats, a pledge of allegiance, order of ceremony and the words to Advance Australia Fair. The seats in the row behind me do not have Bibles.

Two seats to my right is a lady from Malaysia. Behind me a gentleman from Thailand, next to him a woman from California. A petite woman sits down next to me and we exchange pleasantries. She is from the Karen, her parents fled Burma in the 1960's and she was born and grew up in a camp in Thailand. She met her Aussie husband there. A guy from the USA sits down on my left. Most of the people around me have lived in Australia from 4 to 6 years, much laughter erupts when I admit to having lived here for 40 years, and that I am becoming an Australian out of financial expediency to assist with university study costs.

The ceremony begins, the politicians make all the usual spiel about how great we all are adding to the tapestry of Australian life. Citizens from the UK are particularly noted as contributing especially to building Australia over the past 60 years. My chest swells with pride.
Suddenly I find myself on my feet with the other occupants of rows A, B, and C pledging our oath to God of allegiance to Australia. Changes to the oath make interesting reading.

Then we sit down and row D make their pledge without reference to God. So it looks like 25% of new Aussies do not wish to involve a deity in their citizenship ceremony.
Then we have to sign our electoral papers, they are collected and we sing the first two verses of Advance Australia Fair.

Then I tumble outside and walk back to work, an errant Englishman no more.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, OY OY OY!

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

72 hours to go, until I take the oath of allegiance to the Queen of Australia and become a citizen fully of Australia.

This will then mean that I have to watch sport for at least 30 hours a week, drink a slab of beer twice a week, lose any sense of respect for fellow human beings and use bloody in every sentence.

just joking

Tuesday, August 16, 2005


Westward ho, bird flu moves inexorably towards Europe.
meanwhile i have created a group, a yahoo group:
Click here to join diseaseoutbreaks
Click to join diseaseoutbreaks

Friday, July 29, 2005

Dance of deception by James M. Wall " Among the messages of sympathy that poured into London following the July 7 bombings were condolences from the governments of Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iran, Turkey—all nations with majority Muslim populations—and at least two Muslim nongovernmental groups: Hamas and Hezbollah.

But as Middle East scholar Juan Cole pointed out on his Web site "Informed Comment," only ArabicNews.com and a few Chinese sites mentioned this list. The Western media gave little attention to this strong Muslim expression of solidarity.Why this omission? Support from Muslim nations did not fit the dominant narrative in the U.S., which insists that "the reason we are attacked is that they hate us and our way of life, and we are not going to let that deter us from fighting terror." This narrative is not based on reality."
hattip Don over at agonist.org.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Semester two has begun and the workload is massive. Assignments and book reviews on church history, the gospels, australian theologies, practical theology and other stuff I have already forgotten. There will be little time for agonising or blogging over the next three months.

BUT somethings are just too powerful and righteous to ignore. L O Y A L T Y by Larry Johnson, proud to be an American. I am well pleased. May more like Larry stand up and tell it as it is.

Monday, July 11, 2005


Other trees remain a naked forlorn testimony of the raging fireballs of January 18, 2003

Eucalypts trunks enveloped with new growth.

Sunday afternoon the family piled into the wagon and up into the Brindabellas we drove. Major rainstorm Friday evening had washed a lot of snow away but there were occasional mini drifts. Lots of trees are still bare from the bushfires but some are regenerating.
Just so it seems that the whole world cares about skippy, click here. Sometime I may vent forth on the use of animals as pseudo-heroes but life is busy this week, juggling home, work and a conference as well as preparing for Semester II, next week. Just click it. Thank You.

Sunday, July 10, 2005

sometimes it's just fun to read and tinker. Remember that disclaimers are to ensure your safety.
As a kid I got thrown head over heels several times by playing around inside television sets and once by a vacuum cleaner that I had forgotten to unplug before I started examining the brush contacts on the motor.

Garage / yard sales are a great place to pick up hi fi gear that often just needs dust blown out or rubber bands replaced.

Thursday, July 07, 2005

"I pity them"
Angelo, a barrister was interviewed by the BBC after escaping one of the train explosions in the London underground. Covered in soot, shaky, confused as to why more emergency workers were not assisting in the evac (he did not know or had not taken in the fact of multiple attacks), he was asked what he thought of the perps.

"I pity them". Asked to elaborate he responded that "such wicked behaviour can only be pitied".

Resilience and compassion mean that we will all arise again on July 8 and live. Terrorism means death, but humanity will overcome terrorism. We live to honour the dead and I too pity the wicked.

A little selfishly I am relieved that my eldest boy will not be in London for several months....

Monday, July 04, 2005

Hopefully, we will not be reading the likes of this in six months time.

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Rain wonderful rain, plenty of rain around Canberra, too much on the north coast of NSW and the Gold Coast. Goulburn still needs more. Our Prayers of Intercession on Sunday include one each week thanking God for the rain we have received and praying for more rain for those areas that need it. It's a prayer being prayed across the Archdiocese.

The winter days are beginning to lengthen again so spring is coming. Cold weather will be the order of the day for several more months yet. Global warming is not a micro weather feature yet.

First semester is over, all assignments have returned to me with satisfactory results in essay writing and research. Beginners enthusiasm seems to have caused me to try to cover too much in my assignments so I am seeing a lecturer mid month to try and get a grip on what is required.
Footnotes gave my lecturers some grief. I have a lot of misunderstanding as to what each lecturer particularly seeks with respect to the correct citing of authors, texts, quotes and page numbers. Hopefully by October 2007 I will have mastered the art of citation.

Master numero uno living son turns 21 on July 6, so we had a surprise party for him on Saturday night. An assortment of relatives and friends recent and past managed to arrive and allow him an enjoyable evening that almost moved him to tears. Sweet boy. His ticket to Austria and the UK have been purchased - 'rock on' September is his song.

Diary entries for me at the agonist have been a bit post and run lately. Time does not allow too much self promotion. So casual readers don't miss out: read them >>>>>here<<<<<<.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005


This is one of three paintings by congo the chimp, that took the media by storm this week, pushing once again to the background the horrible ongoing violence and death toll in the Congo.

See, I'm safe with a good Christian family. On the weekend I went to Wisconsin.


Hmmm. the table is the same as the one in canberra, but this fellow is certainly not an australian. I'm told it's about 45�F in Canberra, sleet and snow on the way, I'm so glad I'm in sunny Minnesota.


Almost there, I can see home from here.

Uh oh, better wait here, I can hear someone coming. I cannot believe the grass, it is so green and lush compared to the dry, dusty brown stalks in canberra.

Down the shute and into the wonderful outdoors.

Never fear Uncle Minnesota Winnie to the rescue.

USA Customs Department, strip Kanga of beanie and scarf and prepare to cut open in search of contraband.

Friday, June 17, 2005

I dinna mean to scare you, I dinna wanna make you freak:
BUT
H5N1 is getting more and more serious, keep uptodate >>>here<<<.

The most important thing is to remember is wash your hands, a lot.

If you are out and about in malls, or other places where there are lots of people do not, repeat, do not touch your face. Before eating food - wash your hands, before touching your face - wash your hands. When you get home, yup - wash your hands.

Avian flu may not be the next pandemic, but the odds are increasing all the time.

And remember wash your hands a lot.

Two Deacons, an Archbishop, a Bishop, one puppet and sundry lay people sing a ditty to celebrate the 200th edition of the Catholic Voice newspaper(link down on the left).

Breaking News - Kanga has arrived in Minnesota and has commandeered a vehicle to take a weekend trip to Wisconsin. stay tuned...

Tuesday, June 14, 2005


THE ILLITERATE SURGEON
:Kristof @ NYT writes Just about the worst thing that can happen to a teenage girl in this world is to develop an obstetric fistula that leaves her trickling bodily wastes, stinking and shunned by everyone around her. That happened four decades ago to Mamitu Gashe.

But the most amazing thing about Ms. Mamitu is not what she endured but what she has become.

cont @ NYT.

I have been a supporter of Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital for many years, I urge you to support it as well. G_72

Sunday, June 12, 2005


My eldest son, almost 21 is saving madly to travel to Europe, his gf is currently travelling through Austria and Germany. This is a neat photo she took in Melk.

Friday, June 10, 2005


Which Beatles song personality are you?

Lady Madonna

You have a lot of kids and no time. Wonder how you manage to make ends meet?

Personality Test Results

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Dear Mr Graham

On behalf of the Government and people of Australia, I wish to congratulate you on your decision to become an Australian citizen. I am delighted to advise that your application has been approved.


Dear Mr Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, w00t!
I don't have to pay uni fees for semester two, yeah!

PS I have been allowed to vote since 1977, but that was not good enough to get a university "edwucation."

Monday, June 06, 2005


A powerful consensus is building for a doubling of aid to Africa among the world's heavyweight donors, except the United States -- a divide that is likely to come into sharp relief this week when British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrives in Washington to meet with President Bush. sfgate

Read discussion at the Agonist

Tuesday, May 24, 2005


Fond farewells after twenty minutes together, Kanga must go on an overseas trip....

morning tea time, when the cups were put away the present came out to play.

my owners nanna helped my pick it out:

enjoying the sun, before shopping for Nakita's present.

checking out the last roses before winter.

Driver take me away, fast now!

It was the day he was finally going to get out and see something of Australia.

Winnie the Pooh bear stares out of the detention camp for immigrant bears.

Monday, May 23, 2005


Google just got better, personality plus...

Some of the thirty eight or so reference books I am using for my second last assignment for Semester One, I have 4 days to go to get two essays finished, then finis until July.

Thursday, May 19, 2005

drivers, windows XP was 'sposed to subdue, subjugate and stop driver issues.
all I have got is a box that reboots randomly, and micr$oft informs me that it cannot identify the driver causing the problem.

I don't need the wipe the HDD and re-install hassle at present, the last two assignments are due next week, and I just wanna keep writing. And having fun with . and , and ,. and .. in the footnotes yech. if someone had warned me about referencing I would never have enrolled at university.

Meanwhile in the real world: rook notes that Sean Paul is pissed off. :)

Mebbe I'll take time off and go to the movies. (PS tanx to Helen for letting me blog on her computer)

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Mr scam man starts again with new email address:

My name is Mrs. Jennifer Wilson i am a dying woman who have decided to donate what i have to you/ church.I am 59 years old and i was diagnosed for cancer for about 2 years ago,immediately after the death of my husband, who has left me everything he worked for.
I have been touched by God to donate from what i have inherited from my late husband to the you for the good work of God,rather than allow my relatives to use my husband hard earned funds ungodly.Please pray,that the good Lord forgive me my sins.I have asked God to forgive me and i believe he has because He is a merciful God. I will be going in for an operation in less than one hour.

I decided to WILL/donate the sum of $1,500,000 (One million five hundred thousand dollars) to you for the good work of the lord, and also to help the motherless and less privilege and also for the assistance of the widows according to (JAMES 1:27).

At the moment i cannot take any telephone calls right now due to the fact that my relatives are around me and my health status.I have adjusted my WILL and my lawyer is aware i have changed my will you and he will arrange the transfer of the funds from my account to you.

I wish you all the best and may the good Lord bless you abundantly, and please use the funds well and always extend the good work to others. Contact my lawyer with this specified email jbsolicitorx@netscape.net and tell him that i have WILLED ($1,500,000.00) to you and i have also notified him that i am WILLING that amount to you for a specific and good work.I know i don't know you but i have been directed to do this.Thanks and God bless.

NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished as I don't want anything that will Jeopardize my last wish. And Also I will be contacting with you by email as I don't want my relation or anybody to know because they are always around me.

Regards,
Mrs.Jennifer Wilson

Thursday, May 12, 2005


Coat of Arms Benedict XVI
see stories here and here.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Briggs is back: An email I just received:
Hello, Graham-san

I am a Japanese woman. I received Mrs. Jenifer Wilson's mail and then
I also received Johnson Briggs's mail. He called himself as Barrister in
Law,
but my friend who is very good at English said that it should be called an
Attorney-at-Law in UK. His English is very poor than me.

I searched for his name on the Internet and found your weblog.

I appreciate you. I about to pay JPY370,000.

In Mr. Briggs's fraud, a bank in Netherlands named Zenith Group NL
is also involved. I called Netherland Embassy in Japan and they said
there is no bank having such name in their directory

Please see attached mail.

Thank you.

XXX XXXXX


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Zenith Group NL"
To: XXXXXXXX
Date: Fri, 6 May 2005 17:07:32 +0900
Subject: Bank Wire Transfer-With a copy to Barrister Briggs

ATTN Client,
Dear XXXX CXXXXXX.

Sequel to the telephone conversation with the Director Dr Frank Jones,i have been instructed to officially inform you that the sum of $1,500,000 (One million five hundred thousand Dollars) deposited by Mrs. Jennifer Wilson and credited to the Beneficiary Mrs. XXXXXX XXXXXXXi of:
Address:
XCX, XXXXX, KxXXXXX
XXXXX XXX
XXXX, Japan
Tel number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Based on the information provided to our Bank by Mrs. Jennifer Wilson's Attorney ( Mr Johnson Briggs) and considering the large sum of money due for transfer to your nominated Bank account, you will be required to pay a non deductible sum of Eur 2,734.86, (Two thousand, seven hundred and thirty four euros eighty six cents) which is equivalent to an estimated sum of JPY370,756.62 Japanese Yen as (Collectieve Garantierregeling-CGR) Compulsory deposit guarantee scheme.

De Nederlansche Bank (Central Bank in my Country) which is synonymous to the Central Bank of your country imposes a Banking rule of compulsory deposit guarantee scheme, known as (Collectieve Garantierregeling-CGR) which must be embarked upon by all account holders whose sum accrue over 12,500.00 and deposited in any any Netherlands Commercial Bank account.

This scheme is at the exclusive supervsion of De Netherlansche Bank, it will cost the sum of US$2,734.86 (Two thousand seven hundred and thirty four euros,eighty six cents) and we are not able to deduct the charges from your money because it is not covered by the Collectieve Garantierregeling-CGR scheme, we urge you to pay the above stated sum of money to enable the De Netherlansche Bank have a coverage scheme on your funds and we shall immediately commence transfer of your funds to your nominated Bank.

As soon as you have the scheme coverage, we shall send you and your Bank an access code which enables you or your Bank access your money online and we shall open communication with your Bank as soon the scheme is covered.

Please fill attached form and return as soon as possible.




Sincerely,



Mrs Ingrid Van Mulder ( Customer Service)



ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Mr Duncan Greenham (Chief Executive)
Dr. Frank I. Jones (Administrative Director)
Ms. Gifty Lee Wang (Vice President/Marketing)
Mrs E.Ooswoud (Accounts)

OOSTZIDE 12
1502 ZAANDAM
THE NETHERLANDS
TEL: +31.624.824.076, +31.624.824.077,
+31.624.824.078, +31.624.425.673
FAX:+31.624.424.740

BRANCH OFFICE
ATOOMWEG 35
HOORN NH
1627 LE
THE NETHERLANDS

It appears that the boys in blue aint caught the man yet!

Tuesday, April 26, 2005


hattip Dr Mike.

Monday, April 25, 2005

The land remains dry, only a few drops of rain again today.
Sustainable options for water management are increasingly important.
I am well pleased that my brother in law in Sydney is providing ecological design services, providing basix assessments. Well Done John. Hopefully water tanks (water barrels to you USA types) are going to grow in popularity within urban centres.

Friday, April 22, 2005

blog find of the week, hattip Dr Mike.

Wednesday, April 20, 2005


Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger (right, top) with his family in 1951, after he and his brother were ordained into the priesthood. wiki bio
Photo: Reuters

Saturday, April 16, 2005

history endlessly repeating
suffering ad nauseum
even in blogland nothing ever changes.

BUT
say a prayer today
care for someone
smile at the stranger
rejoice and be glad for we are alive!

Tuesday, April 12, 2005


I had the privilege of being the assistant master of ceremonies at the Canberra Funeral Mass for the late Pontiff. This was the photo that appeared in the Canberra Times.

Saturday, April 02, 2005

Theres not often that one is close to the creation of a new word.
A friend at the agonist has coined neoconfection, the placing of a cream pie in the face of a neoconservative.

Saturday, March 26, 2005

woopy doo da day,
An Easter gift kinda came early six days ago:
I got this thru my agonist email account:

***********************************
Attention:

This is to inform you that I have been informed by Mrs.Jennifer Wilson
of her intensions in WILLING $1.5 million US dollars to you. I will
immediately proceed in notifying Mrs.Jennifer Wilson's bank in order for
the funds to be released and transferred to you.

She has WILLED the funds to you based on her own decision. I will
require the following information below to process the release of the
funds and notification to the bank.

1. Full name
2. Country of Residence
3. Telephone number.

Sincerely,

Johnson Briggs (Barr.in Law)
**SOLICITOR AND LEGAL PRACTITIONER**
**************************************
I supplied my details as requested above
**************************************
On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 06:46:46 -0500, jjsolicitors@netscape.net
> wrote:
>> ATTENTION: Graham Upshell
>>
>> This is to notify you that I have applied to Jennifer's bank for the release of the funds making you the beneficiary to the amount of $1.5 million dollars.
>>
>> I shall notify you as soon as the application is approved. Endeavour to confirm the receipt of this mail.You can call me with my number below.
>>
>> Attach is the letter to the Bank.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Johnson Briggs (Barr.in Law).
>> **SOLICITOR AND LEGAL PRACTITIONER**
>> TEL: +44.7704708723
>> FAX: +44.8701301545
**********************************************
Dear Messr Briggs
Thanks for the notification, how often do you get to such a lovely job
like this one?
Graham

**********************************************
ATTENTION: Graham Upshell

This is to officially congratulate you that Mrs.Jennifer Wilson's bank have approved to release the funds which has been WILLED to you. This is based upon my notification to them that my client has WILLED $1.5 million US dollars to you.

The bank also requires me to tender a sworn affidavit from the British court, stating that you are now the actual beneficiary to the funds before transfer can be made to your designated account. I would also like to let you know that this sworn affidavit from the court would cost a total of £1,000(One thousand Pounds) to obtain. I hereby advise that you try and send this payment of £1,000(One thousand pounds) in order for me to obtain the affidavit from the british court of law making you the official beneficiary to this fund, in order to allow the bank transfer the 1.5 million dollars to you.

I would advise that you make the payment through western union money transfer with my name (JOHNSON BRIGGS) in order to facilitate the obtainance of the affidavit and the transfer of the funds to your account.

I would like to also notify you that Mrs.Jennifer Wilson passed away this morning during an operation .May her soul rest in peace.

I expect to hear from you soon, so that I can facilitate and conclude the transaction on your behalf.And as soon as the release is approved the bank shall contact you through your email address and you can tell them how you want to receive the funds.I have also attached my letter to the bank.

DETAILS FOR WESTERN UNION PAYMENT:
NAME FOR PAYMENT: JOHNSON BRIGGS
ADDRESS: 11 AMBLESIDE POINT
SE15 1EA, LONDON
UNITED KINGDOM.

Sincerely,
Johnson Briggs (Barr.in Law).
**SOLICITOR AND LEGAL PRACTITIONER**
TEL: +44.7787173525.
FAX: +44.8701341382.
***************************************
Dear Johnson,

This is the way I would like this to work:
You pay the £1000.00 out of your Solicititors work fund for the court matter.
I have instructed my British Solicitors, in Dorset, to provide any
assistance you may require. Please advise which bank will be
transferring the funds.

For your assistance in this matter I have asked my solicitors to make
a payment of £30,000.00 to you as a thank you.

Please advise full address of your company, and your bank details so
my solicitor can arrange transfer of the gratuity to you.

yours sincerely
Graham

************************************
Now I wait but I am not waiting at all!!!

Friday, March 25, 2005

In the middle of Triduum time a quick Easter greeting to the readers.

meanwhile sean-paul over at the agonist has got the diary disease linking to great news such as billmon who is back. - Yep, the barman writeth and linketh, on addictions and Wolfowitz.

Friday, March 18, 2005


An oziac by any other name, exept I am still not naturalized or naturalised.

Saturday, March 05, 2005


graphite on recycled paper 2005
Blogger team advise it's easier to post comments now. Hint, hint :)

For your eye cleansing therapy click here

University work has increased, and not much time to say much else!

Karma has seen by ability to play with friends in a wiki taken away.
My post about ugly politics probably swung the needle to punishment side.

meanwhile a neat letter of recycled paper written on by pencil, a clipping from the Washington Chronicle and other assorted miscellany have arrived safely - thanks Mike.

To the books I go, a-studying is the new game for me.

Sunday, February 27, 2005

blogs come , blogs go, some are still born: http://uglypolitics.blogspot.com/

it's a shame that a comment like this from a friend could not be attached:

So many idiots, so few comets. I'm quitting this politics crap. I have worked so hard to try to get them to see that Repugnicans are idiots, and that they need to get riled about the outrage that is George Bush, I did it over and over and over, and they just don't listen. They don't shut up and listen. A brilliant woman like me can try to pound it into the heads of idiots only so long. This is a waste of time. Except for the few that listen to me, those people at Agonist are a bunch of dense idiots that don't get that all fundies and Repugnicans should be locked up, and the country is full of them. Too few comets, so many idiiots. I'm moving to France. No more politics for me

meanwhile away from that nastiness I have commenced full time university study, as well as working full time. Theology is almost the original academic discipline, and the lecturers certainly expect a lot of hard work from us... assignment one has been handed in. (note to self: do not write 3,500 words for a 1,500 word question it is hard to edit that many words down to the right amount the night before it is due, DOH!)

Merton, freedom, truth and beauty, religion + spirituality, and authority in Marks gospel as it relates to Christology are some of the remaining assignments....

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

hattip as always ;) artappraiser
The pope a sign of elderly decrepitude still in the news and still enthuses me.
Precious Suffering.
The pope's condition is deteriorating, for all to see, and he's becoming a potent symbol for his message: that life is sacred, no matter how painful

Monday, February 14, 2005

It's good to revisit things that illumine the soul and mind. Life can be awfully hectic rushing between work and home, study and church. Meetings, appointments, services, shopping and stress and relationships can seem tenuouos. Hang in there and ponder what is rich, satisfying and luxurious in touching deep within, the special places that make you, you. I stopped tonight to smell some roses, breathe deeply of the night air and relaxed for a few minutes. I should do it more often!
May I suggest the poetry of Dylan Thomas
and Tuesdays with Morrie - DVD or book

What warms your heart and soul and mind?