My new found fascination for blogs and opinion disguised as news (hmmm) drove me to a blog which is part of the Age Blogs and penned by Sam de Brito.
Information as story is an interesting beast. I am about to tell you a story told by Sam who was telling a story told to him by a reader (loather - whatever) who was telling a story told by Naomi Woolf who was telling a story from some research or other conducted. Is the art of quotation merely the oral story-telling tradition gone anal? Anyway, the point of this post...right...got it back...Apparently in The Beauty Myth (Naomi's telling) a question is asked (ps. I cannot believe I have not read this book - sounds like it would be great fuel for rants) about what each gender fears the most from the other gender. And now I am going to quote Sam's paraphrasing:
"A survey was conducted of men and women asking them what was their biggest fear about the opposite sex. Men said they were scared of being laughed at by females. The women's greatest fear about men? 'That they will kill us'." http://blogs.theage.com.au/allmenareliars/archives/2006/09/my_life_as_a_wo.html
As he says and has now been taken up by me - I cannot get this out of my head. And part of the reason is because of an argument I often had with my friend Flynn who hates teenage feminists who manipulate to get their way and thinks that this is a reflection of feminism as a whole. I have a whole lot of stuff I can say about the quote but instead I am going to dedicate it to Flynn and say "here is your answer". Read The Beauty Myth and then lend it to me.
One last thing peoples. Thanks for comments re: blog. Most of the reason why I chose blog format for my online rantings is because it allows for a semblance of conversation. See the option to make a comment to each posting? Click on it and say hi - or say that I am saying crap. I would love to tell you you are wrong - especially Flynn. Don't be a lurker - hey can I make a t-shirt out of that?
The title of this post is a little misleading as it might seem like I am going to have a rant about men. I am not. In fact I would go so far as to say that men are great. Yes I know this is out of character for me, but I cannot help it. Men smell good, look good, feel good and make me feel good, so men are great. Simple. No over reaction. Simple.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Mmmmmm.....
Ahhhh, today is a good day. The sun is shining and I feel pretty happy. Which is a complete turn around to how I felt on sunday - but then again moods are not useful unless they are change the way you feel are they? The thing about moods though is that they are generated from the internal - nothing major has happened in my life since sunday. I am the master of my moods. Goenka teaches the wisdom of this by making you watch yourself. Today I am watching these sensations of happiness and I am appreciating their existance in this moment. I am also trying to reflect this in my actions in life as well - I once said that I would rather live with future regret than have to live through heart ache right now. At this moment in time I am wondering if I am capable of making those kinds of decisions - or indeed if it is fair that I should.
Anyway, enough of moods. I would like to say a couple of things about the films I watched recently: Love & Other Catastrophes and Wedding Crashers.
L&OT: It is interesting to watch a film years after the first time viewing and realise that you stole things from the characters and made them part of your own life. Thoughts I have about life were directly influenced by this film - terrifying actually - perhaps I should not watch any more films from my past.
WD: I do not like Owen Wilson, but I grant that he does good tone. I enjoyed this film and it was not because the big man himself was in it and I was granted some awesome perv time,but cos it was funny and Isla was great. Bit cashing in on the "money", but I don't care.
Anyway, enough of moods. I would like to say a couple of things about the films I watched recently: Love & Other Catastrophes and Wedding Crashers.
L&OT: It is interesting to watch a film years after the first time viewing and realise that you stole things from the characters and made them part of your own life. Thoughts I have about life were directly influenced by this film - terrifying actually - perhaps I should not watch any more films from my past.
WD: I do not like Owen Wilson, but I grant that he does good tone. I enjoyed this film and it was not because the big man himself was in it and I was granted some awesome perv time,but cos it was funny and Isla was great. Bit cashing in on the "money", but I don't care.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Trams in Melbourne
In my new effort to maintain writing practice that does not involve DIRKS or Dewey or anything else information organising related, I am trying to write something everyday. Sorry in advance.
Today I caught PT to Richmond from North Caulfield, which is like playing musical trams. Fair enuff - only two trams, but a 40 min ride. I did this to have a half hour lunch with a friend and to yell at him for bit about being nice to me = that he has to be nicer to me. I have these kinds of friendships apparently. Anyway, on the way back about seven 15 year olds got on the tram and clambered over seats and impressed the girls in their posse and were generally behaving like 15 year olds and there was this women who was sitting down in the seats that the children decided to occupy. They werent being mean or nasty or even cheeky, but she had to move nonetheless. I laughed and I tried to watch them without getting caught - they were fascinating.
Two items of fashion I saw out today that looked ace: 1. long string cloth woven beads - spaced far apart - burgandy type colour. 2. pin striped shorts to knee with cropped hoodie with hood up. Both these on teenagers - wished for a second i was not a teenager in 1980's.
Love the long metal chains with gaudish cluster of big chunks swinging on the bottom, plus simple long beads made of anything - wood, cloth, plastic - definite earth colours.
While we are talking fashion - or at least I am - I told my friends Spesh the other day that she was so ahead in fashionista stakes as she was wearing cork wedges last summer and they are SO huge this summer. Spesh agreed.
Another fashion surprise - Target. Check out the great range of awesome dresses - thank you to whoever they stole the styles from!
Lastly, I lost some money in a Metcard machine today and I called Metcard to tell them their machine was faulty and to ask what I could say to the pack of ravenous revenue raisers when they boarded my tram - which was obviously going to be my destiny. The woman, called Christine was NICE and told me to tell the inspectors to talk to HER about my ticket etc. A bit of a good deed by Yarra Trams - thanks.
Last comment - I have always found marketing interesting - my fascination almost voyeuristic and sickening - sometimes when I am studying the information continuum model at uni and discussing organisation of information I feel like i am standing wtih one foot in marketing evils with big words and high brow concepts. So, website for today is: http://trendwatching.com/
More comments on this unnerving feeling as it evolves...
Today I caught PT to Richmond from North Caulfield, which is like playing musical trams. Fair enuff - only two trams, but a 40 min ride. I did this to have a half hour lunch with a friend and to yell at him for bit about being nice to me = that he has to be nicer to me. I have these kinds of friendships apparently. Anyway, on the way back about seven 15 year olds got on the tram and clambered over seats and impressed the girls in their posse and were generally behaving like 15 year olds and there was this women who was sitting down in the seats that the children decided to occupy. They werent being mean or nasty or even cheeky, but she had to move nonetheless. I laughed and I tried to watch them without getting caught - they were fascinating.
Two items of fashion I saw out today that looked ace: 1. long string cloth woven beads - spaced far apart - burgandy type colour. 2. pin striped shorts to knee with cropped hoodie with hood up. Both these on teenagers - wished for a second i was not a teenager in 1980's.
Love the long metal chains with gaudish cluster of big chunks swinging on the bottom, plus simple long beads made of anything - wood, cloth, plastic - definite earth colours.
While we are talking fashion - or at least I am - I told my friends Spesh the other day that she was so ahead in fashionista stakes as she was wearing cork wedges last summer and they are SO huge this summer. Spesh agreed.
Another fashion surprise - Target. Check out the great range of awesome dresses - thank you to whoever they stole the styles from!
Lastly, I lost some money in a Metcard machine today and I called Metcard to tell them their machine was faulty and to ask what I could say to the pack of ravenous revenue raisers when they boarded my tram - which was obviously going to be my destiny. The woman, called Christine was NICE and told me to tell the inspectors to talk to HER about my ticket etc. A bit of a good deed by Yarra Trams - thanks.
Last comment - I have always found marketing interesting - my fascination almost voyeuristic and sickening - sometimes when I am studying the information continuum model at uni and discussing organisation of information I feel like i am standing wtih one foot in marketing evils with big words and high brow concepts. So, website for today is: http://trendwatching.com/
More comments on this unnerving feeling as it evolves...
Monday, September 25, 2006
Monday
Mondays are always beginner days for me. Its the day we take a sigh and think, "fuck here we go again" and make ourselves do whatever it is we do. Monday = the moment of repetition.
Anyway, enough whining. Today is film day and I have a couple of films I would like to rant about.
Firstly I took my bro to Nova cheap films today and in order to make him feel ok about trekking across to the other side of the city I said we could watch "Kenny". I had heard good things about this film, but thought it would also be completely overrated and have cringe-intense Aussie stereotypes in it. I was wrong. I was dead wrong. There was great stuff in there - genuine stuff. Now obviously I am a film critic and a writer so stuff is a great descriptive, but hey, this is a blog and a comment -I'm not getting fucking paid. Anyway, I only saw it cos it was on $5 Monday - but probably would have gotten it out on dvd sooner or later. As we would say in WA - its piss funny.
http://www.kennythemovie.com/
Has anyone called the Queen and told her what theyhave been doin to her English? ([mis]quote from Kenny, talking about Americans).
The other is the FAST FOOD NATION film. What can Richard Linklater and the author, Eric Schlosser do to make this book a great film? I am kinda disappointed that it is portrayed as a fiction film and MacDonalds is now Mickey's. I hope though the message is thinly veiled and I hope that the employees issues are still there in full force like it is in the book. I wonder if the author was holding out for a drama script opportunity rather than a doco. Anyway, I'll probably be going to see it, despite some weird casting choices, although I love Greg Kinnear.
http://www.fastfoodnation-movie.com/
Anyway, enough whining. Today is film day and I have a couple of films I would like to rant about.
Firstly I took my bro to Nova cheap films today and in order to make him feel ok about trekking across to the other side of the city I said we could watch "Kenny". I had heard good things about this film, but thought it would also be completely overrated and have cringe-intense Aussie stereotypes in it. I was wrong. I was dead wrong. There was great stuff in there - genuine stuff. Now obviously I am a film critic and a writer so stuff is a great descriptive, but hey, this is a blog and a comment -I'm not getting fucking paid. Anyway, I only saw it cos it was on $5 Monday - but probably would have gotten it out on dvd sooner or later. As we would say in WA - its piss funny.
http://www.kennythemovie.com/
Has anyone called the Queen and told her what theyhave been doin to her English? ([mis]quote from Kenny, talking about Americans).
The other is the FAST FOOD NATION film. What can Richard Linklater and the author, Eric Schlosser do to make this book a great film? I am kinda disappointed that it is portrayed as a fiction film and MacDonalds is now Mickey's. I hope though the message is thinly veiled and I hope that the employees issues are still there in full force like it is in the book. I wonder if the author was holding out for a drama script opportunity rather than a doco. Anyway, I'll probably be going to see it, despite some weird casting choices, although I love Greg Kinnear.
http://www.fastfoodnation-movie.com/
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Saturday, September 23, 2006
I am closer to normal than ever before!
Things I love today:
1. Google. Ever grateful for information organisation applications. Calendar tag on personalised homepage...undeniable GENIUS!
2. Assignments. Who would have guessed? In a world of inevitable, early finishes = relief beyond measure.
3.Words. Mean what I say, with few backspaces.
4. Love. Ambiguity confidence. Without definition and description, a life of ignorance is unusally blessed.
5. Anticipation. Careful with this one. Roof top cinema is coming to Melbourne. GOD I love this city.
1. Google. Ever grateful for information organisation applications. Calendar tag on personalised homepage...undeniable GENIUS!
2. Assignments. Who would have guessed? In a world of inevitable, early finishes = relief beyond measure.
3.Words. Mean what I say, with few backspaces.
4. Love. Ambiguity confidence. Without definition and description, a life of ignorance is unusally blessed.
5. Anticipation. Careful with this one. Roof top cinema is coming to Melbourne. GOD I love this city.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
What's hot in info services today...
This morning I received an email offer to invest in a new business. Firstly I need to mention that the company that sends me these emails is a net marketing company who provide free sms' just for looking at emails of marketing campaigns. I have looked at ads from The Age, Sensis, Octopus Travel, Mobile phone companies, Loreal etc. So one would immediately assume that the ad i am refering to today would have some kind of legitimacy, considering their other clients.
This new business offer may very well be legit, but a few things that it says about needing no experience to work in the financial services industry and that this product is focussed on personal money and wealth makes alarm bells ring for me. So anyone can coach/provide advice (note they do not say that this is what happens) to people about their money with this software system and no other experience? And the amount of money it costs to start this business looks to me very much like a licence fee for a software package - ah of course it says so at the top. I wonder if by not saying explicitly that you are paying a licence fee for software that people who buy will know that they should negotiate upgrades etc. Maybe I think people are too dumb.
I have more to say but i am now running late for class. Later.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Happy belated Census
There is a few things on my mind today. Firstly, I have just found out why del.icio.us is so good. When I am doing my research for assignments, such as the Census one I am about to rant about, I can hold, group, cross-reference as well as write notes one each page. The note taking is the best - so I can tell at a glance, why I decided to keep this url as a reference and how it may fit into my essay. Phew. At least there is some technology that is working for me.
Now for the Census. I am one of those people who said that the National Archives can look after my census for 99 years. I said yes in 2001 and again in 2006. I would like to point out that it is the biggest baddest mofo archive in Australia that looks after our census materials, NOT the ABS. And this archive is regulated by its own mandate. In fact, the archivist in charge has had to give disposal permission to destroy the Census records previously. The ABS is the collection agency, but the NAA are the dudes who are responsible for Commonwealth records.
My essay is about mapping the Census onto the Info Continuum Model. Not a bad model, except for the fact that studying it makes me want to eat a lot of chocolate and icecream. I also have to talk about confidentiality. In my rummaging I have realised that there are confusing information about confidentiality and it comes from the fact that it often comes as a phrase with these two other words: privacy and [confidentiality]. They are not the same thing. Privacy is really what kinds of questions they ask and confidentiality is about who is told the answers to the questions. Now, I ask you, do you mind people knowing where you lived in 2006? I can check the electoral roll to check that if you like. Already stalked a half-brother down via this avenue (and now wish I hadn't but that is another story). Anyway, I am going to leave this half-hearted rant for a bit - its on pause. But before I go, I want to just point out that I am neither for or against. In fact, I had already decided that I would not say yes to retention in any further Census' cos two is enough. Find out from someone who knows.
Now for the Census. I am one of those people who said that the National Archives can look after my census for 99 years. I said yes in 2001 and again in 2006. I would like to point out that it is the biggest baddest mofo archive in Australia that looks after our census materials, NOT the ABS. And this archive is regulated by its own mandate. In fact, the archivist in charge has had to give disposal permission to destroy the Census records previously. The ABS is the collection agency, but the NAA are the dudes who are responsible for Commonwealth records.
My essay is about mapping the Census onto the Info Continuum Model. Not a bad model, except for the fact that studying it makes me want to eat a lot of chocolate and icecream. I also have to talk about confidentiality. In my rummaging I have realised that there are confusing information about confidentiality and it comes from the fact that it often comes as a phrase with these two other words: privacy and [confidentiality]. They are not the same thing. Privacy is really what kinds of questions they ask and confidentiality is about who is told the answers to the questions. Now, I ask you, do you mind people knowing where you lived in 2006? I can check the electoral roll to check that if you like. Already stalked a half-brother down via this avenue (and now wish I hadn't but that is another story). Anyway, I am going to leave this half-hearted rant for a bit - its on pause. But before I go, I want to just point out that I am neither for or against. In fact, I had already decided that I would not say yes to retention in any further Census' cos two is enough. Find out from someone who knows.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Hot New World of Library Smut!
I never knew studying library would expose me to such amazing new things:
http://thenonist.com/index.php/thenonist/permalink/hot_library_smut/
http://thenonist.com/index.php/thenonist/permalink/hot_library_smut/
more things i want my computer to do...
find all references and articles stored on harddrive as either link or article and then put them all into a database, correctly laid out and under subject tags, so i can find them later.
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