Dragface
01 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Politics, Sigh, Transgender
When someone from a privileged group in society assumes the guise of someone from a less-privileged group in order to mock and belittle the less privileged group IT IS WRONG.
Whether it’s a white person wearing blackface to mock and deride people of colour or a man putting on a frock to mock and deride women (including trans women) IT IS WRONG
Just saying…
ACL Politicises ANZAC Day
25 Apr 2011 2 Comments
in Sigh
Jim Wallace, head of the so-called Australian Christian Lobby and a former SAS officer, put out the following tweet this morning:
“Just hope that as we remember Servicemen and women today we remember the Australia they fought for – wasn’t gay marriage and Islamic!”
Well, Jim, here’s what I think. I think we went to war against Germany because it was led by a pathetic little Christian who hated homosexuals and hated people of different religions.
OMG! My baby’s 30!
19 Mar 2011 1 Comment
My youngest daughter turns 30 today.
Makes me feel kind of old. Really old.
*sigh*
We’re going to The Tongue and Groove in town to have a family celebration.
Trans Day of Remembrance
20 Nov 2010 2 Comments
in Sigh, Transphobia
I attended the Canberra TDOT event last night. In previous years we have met in Glebe Park where we stood around with candles while the names of murdered people were read out. These people were murdered because they were trans or perceived to be trans.
Last night we met in the Gods Cafe at the Australian National University’s Arts Centre. While time was spent remembering those who were killed for simply being themselves, it was also a celebration of those who are still here.
Potted flowers were distributed to those present to plant around the City in memory of those who died.
Shane Rattenbury (Greens Party), the Speaker in the ACT’s Legislative Assembly, was present to talk about some positive steps being taken regarding law reform.
Among the people remembered was Roy Antonio Jones III, a 16 month old baby murdered by his mother’s boyfriend who had struck him with fists to try to make him act more like a boy. What a tragic and ugly manifestation of transphobia.
This day causes me to reflect on the amount of privilege I have (or had). Because what separates me from those on the list of the dead is my privilege and a great big dose of good luck.
Lest we forget
25 Apr 2010 Leave a Comment
During the week I saw an ad on TV where the former chief of the defence forces, Peter Cosgrove, encouraged us to “raise a glass” for our service men and women. The ad was partly sponsored by a beer company.
On Anzac Day I spend time thinking of relatives who died in war and of the mothers and fathers waiting at home. I think of my dad who fought on the Kokoda Trail. Like many other young men in his position, he was a heavy drinker when he returned home at the end of the war. The RSL clubs provided these men with cheap beer. They survived the war but lost the peace. And while our leaders hold ceremonies “lest we forget”, the returned servicemen spent a lot of time getting drunk so that they could forget. My father died aged 56 back in 1978.
A time to be born, a time to die
29 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
Yesterday morning, my dearest friend phoned me. She was in tears. She had just heard that her brother-in-law had died that morning after having a massive heart attack. I’m so useless in such situations. I had met her brother-in-law on several occasions and thought he was a kind and gentle man who did everything for his family. He was only 50. I asked her to give her sister a hug from me and to let me know when the funeral would be. I also asked if there was anything she wanted me to do for her. I’m still kinda numb.
This evening, at 7:50pm, beloved ex called to say our second daughter was on her way to the birthing centre having dropped Happy Chappy off at her place. Two hours later, a happy and relaxed daughter called to say that she had a healthy daughter. My fifth grandchild. 
As an atheist, I accept we’re here for a brief time and then die. I don’t believe there is any grand purpose. All we can do is to give our latest family member love and guidance.
Haunting
22 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Diversions, Life, Sigh
I saw Sarah Blasko in Canberra a couple of years ago and became a fan of hers. I love this song
All I Want
I don’t want another lover
So don’t keep holding out your hands
There’s no room beside me
I’m not looking for romance
Say i’ll be here, i’ll be here
But there’s no way you’d understand
All I want
All I want
All I want
When I don’t even know myself
I don’t want another partner
So don’t try and break the spell
I can’t even understand me
So don’t think that you can help
When I say things and see things
That’s no way on earth to tell
What I want
What I want
What I want
‘Cos I don’t even know myself
No one wants to be lonely
But what am I to do
I’m just trying to be honest
I don’t want to hurt you too
When i’ll be there, i’ll be there
I know I sound confused
But all I want
All I want
All I want
All I want
All I want
See all I want
All I want
Is to one day come to know myself
September
01 Oct 2009 Leave a Comment
in Art, Family, Life, Sigh, Transgender
The arrival of Spring here in the antipodes.
I enrolled in an Art class which begins in just over a week and I find myself really looking forward to it.
Work has been busy, with examiners meetings to organise, academic progress letters to be sent, and a new session to be loaded up and managed. And in a new environment…we have moved from WebCT to Moodle for our online learning and teaching environment.
The first Sunday in September was Fathers Day. I went to my beloved ex’s house for a family dinner, where I received beautiful cards, flowers and magazine subscriptions. The highlight was being greeted by my eldest grandson. “Hello, Grandma! Happy Fathers Day, Grandma.” he giggled. I just love how everything is open and honest.
Early in the month I received an invitation to the Class of 69 reunion. I’m quite looking forward to the event which will be held in Sydney in November. I attended the 35th year reunion in 2004 when my former classmates got to see the real me for the first time. I have to admit that I have never been more nervous than I was going to that reunion. But everything went well so I’ll enjoy this reuinion even more. And I expect to be the only woman in the room again, having gone to an all boys Christian Brothers School.
The vernal equinox was celebrated by a trip to the coast with R. We stayed in a caravan park on the river in a cosy cabin and had our fish’n'chips on the beach, shopped and ate in Mogo, and got out feet wet at Guerilla Bay. We’ve decided this will become an annual tradition – much like we celebrate the Winter Solstice with a meal of home made Chicken & Leek potted pie.
It was also a month where I found myself getting angry. First at the treatment of Caster Semenya and then at the outrage from some people over the arrest of Roman Polanski. I’m appalled that people are defending the brute. Whoopie should be ashamed of herself for the “it wasn’t rape-rape” comment. The bastard raped a 13 year old child after drugging her, despite her pleas for him to stop. He should be locked up for life. A lot of people have lost my respect as a result of their attitude towards Polanski.
Hypocrisy
12 Sep 2009 Leave a Comment
in Sigh
When right wing polititians (both Liberal and Labor) vote against gay marriage because thay wish to uphold the sanctity of marriage and then screw round with people who are not their spouse, they are really not voting to uphold the sanctity of marriage, but rather, they are voting to win votes by oppressing a minority group. But, of course, they are not honest enough to admit that.
Caster Semenya
12 Sep 2009 Leave a Comment
This young woman is a human being and she should be afforded the dignity that we all deserve. Her treatment by the world’s media has been shameful.
