| Thursday, November 30, 2006 |
|
Who would have known that Mal "Big man from Canberra" Brough loves the Hoff? Now i know why parliamentarians aren't allowed to be photographed when they're not talking...it's not so unsuspecting photojournalists can beam pictures of them sleeping around the world...it's to keep little tidbits like this photo away! What is it about David? Is it the hair, or the accent, or the ability to run in slow motion down sand dunes....
This exclusive was filed on the National Indigenous Times website this afternoon.
Maybe this one will win the Walkley, cause you know, your story doesn't have to be that accurate to get one!
It's Hofficial: Brough's NIC will stay on
Thursday, 30 November 2006 4:07:24 PM
NATIONAL, Nov 30, 2006: David Hasselhoff, the star of 90s television shows such as Knight Rider and Baywatch, has been appointed to John Howard's hand picked Indigenous advisory group, the National Indigenous Council.
The bizarre appointment is aimed at appeasing members of the NIC who threatened a mass resignation because they felt they were not being taken seriously by the Howard Government.
At a tense meeting yesterday with senior ministers and the head of the Prime Minister's Department, Peter Shergold, the Indigenous advisors said the group was sick of being marginalised and not being included in the government decision making process.
A senior government source said that the members of the NIC were just about to walk out of the meeting when Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough was able to negotiate a last minute agreement.
“The NIC was feeling unloved and they were just about to walk out when the Minister asked them if there was anything he could do to rectify the situation?” the source said.
“Apparently they said nick hoff.”
Other sources confirmed that Brough agreed, raced out of the room, made a few calls and later announced that he had secured the services of David Hasselhoff fresh from the production set of the Knight Rider movie in the US.
“I've nicked Hoff,” the Minster is rumoured to have announced to the meeting.
“Brough really rescued the situation for the Government and he even donated his signed copy of The Hoff Loves You Poster to the NIC,” the source added.
But the Federal Minister refused to be drawn on criticism that Hasselhoff has no previous expertise in the Indigenous Affairs portfolio and will add nothing significant to the future of Indigenous Australians.
“He'll feel right at home at the NIC,” Brough said.
But Brough did confirm that yesterday's meeting got quite heated between himself, senior bureaucrats and members of the NIC.
“At one point the NIC threatened to even start developing their own policies and ideas, but that was quickly dismissed as laughable by all in the room,” he added.
It is understood that to satisfy Hasselhoff's contractual arrangements, Howard's hand picked Indigenous advisory group must now be referred to as “The NIC HOFF”.
The Hoff is expected to join the NIC next Tuesday at a dinner with the Prime Minister in Canberra.
http://www.nit.com.au/breakingNews/story.aspx?id=8900
In other news...13 sleeps til HOMETIME!!!!
Luv Amy |
posted by Lidia @ 8:02 PM  |
|
|
| Sunday, November 26, 2006 |
|
THE YOUNG DIVAS
This weekend has been I've been so lazy. I've taken advantage of my housemates being away to hijack the tv and the couch - something I don’t usually do. Maybe there is a good reason that I have housemates - they make sure I don’t become such a couch potato!
Anyway, I've had the tv on the 24 hour music channel all day waiting for Beyonce's new song to come on. It's come on like 15 times so far. Hopefully I'll get sick of it soon so I won't have to fork out $5 for the single. Or steal it off limewire, which I'll probably do anyway. I'm also beginning to form a bit of an opinion on Australian Idol and the whole 'get famous in five minutes' brand of music. I actually think it's a good idea.
I was reading an article in the Age the other day about how Australian music is losing it's voice - it's becoming just a load of transparent artists singing the same rubbish after becoming famous through reality tv or soap operas. We no longer have great political bands like Midnight Oil or Yothu Yindi. But although I like giving to the Australian music industry. I can't comment much on Neighbours cause these bands – I have to appreciate the benefits shows like Australian Idol are the quality of their exports are still rubbish.
Anyway, take the example of the Young Divas (pictured) – four young ladies who all made it to the top ten on Idol – Kate DeAraugo, Ricki-Lee Coulter, Emily Williams and Paulini Curuenavuli. They all are highly talented and they do reflect their age group. How many people their age are really political? They may not write their own songs but neither did Jackson 5 and they are considered as one of the defining bands of Motown. Australian Idol is creating role models for Australian youth. The Young Divas aren't skinny and they're not completely white. Sometimes I think the Australian music industry, and entertainment industry in general, is completely whitewashed and blind to the fact that an Australian doesn't have to be blonde and blue eyed. Our top singers in the past have been people like Kylie Minogue, Delta Goodrem, Savage Garden and John Farnhem. They're great (with the exception of Kylie) but where are the talented Islanders, Asians and Africans???
On Australian Idol we have people from different backgrounds progress to the top. Guy Sebastian, the first winner, is Malaysian. Casey Donovan is an Aboriginal girl. Anthony Callea is Italian. Emily Williams is a New Zealander. Paulini Curuenavuli is Fijian. And the top two in Australian Idol this year is Jessica Mauboy – an Aboriginal/Indonesian girl and Damien Leithe a true blue Irish man who is a first generation Australian. They are all Australian. They are all talented. But until now they have not been adequately represented in the Australian music industry.
Soap Operas are different though. Neighbours and Home and Away all produce the same batch of mediocre blonde bimbos singing melodies of having their hearts broken. The latest is Stephanie McIntosh. Kylie, Bec, Holly, Delta, Tasmin, Stephanie….they all start to blend into one faceless void of crap music after awhile.
Ok, I should spare Delta cause I actually do think she’s talented. The rest are just Australian Hilary Duffs.
Anyway, back to my favourite subject (me!)
There are only 18 more sleeps til I go home!
Here a homage to my old home!
This is the mango tree in the middle of the road outside my (old) house. It's so distinctive and it's been there forever. Everyone likes driving down the street with the tree in the middle of the road!
I had a huge talk to Melissa on the phone yesterday. It was great.
She has a new flat mate - our friend Kumar. It's so weird to think that he is living with her. It was really weird cause he is almost homophobic. Kumar got freaked out abit when Melissa showed him one of our gay friend's boyfriend. He's just like - don't invite him over because he'll try and hit on me!! And Melissa said, "I don't think so, i don't think your his type" and Kumar said, "Every man is a gay guys type!" WE laughed about the ignorance of that comment. It's like saying I would hit on every guy i meet cause i'm straight. It just doesn't make sense. Kumar also told Melissa that there was no use being friends with our friend cause we wouldn't get anything out of it cause he's gay. I don't even understand that. How can someone being gay come in the way of friendship?? Confusing... So I'm looking forward to having heaps of arguements with Kumar when i get back although i'll try to not make him mad cause he makes really good chicken curry :)
ANyway, gotta go!
Luv Amy |
| posted by Lidia @ 6:38 PM |
|
|
| Wednesday, November 22, 2006 |
|
Hello!
You forget how much you miss family when you leave home for the first time! I've never really felt like I missed home considerably but when I had to say good bye to my dad today, who had come down to visit for a few days, I felt really sad and so I had to console myself with Connoisseur chocolate obsession ice cream. But the days my dad was here were great! We went to the Australian War Memorial - which is absolutely amazing. And because dad and I are both interested in history we went through EVERY exhibit, and didn't miss one thing! The war memorial is absolutely beautiful and apparently it is becoming one of Australia's greatest tourist attractions.
The second day we went on a tour of Parliament house with my boss. It was absolutely excellent. I had been there a few times before but it was fun to go with dad and help show him around. We saw the prime minister's office and all the bigwigs offices like Mal Brough, Chris Evans and Kevin Rudd. But the undeniable highlight of the day was when Chris decided to step outside for a smoke. It seems uneventful but while we were waiting in the court yard we noticed that there were a few camera men setting up on the grass. Chris went to ask who they were going to film and it was Mr Kim Beazley himself! Kim is the opposition leader so we waited and we stood about a metre away from him while all these journos huddled around him trying to ask questions. It was surreal and my dad was amazed! It was funny cause I was there snapping away happily with my little personal Kodak and all the other 'proper' photographers had their big Canons and Nikons! It was such an excellent conclusion to the day. Then after that we got chased from the Prime Ministers office because I was going to take a photo. I can understand why we weren't allowed though - it's just a good story to write about... the day me and my dad were considered a security threat to John Howard... priceless!
I love politics and I love Canberra. It amazes me how all the big decisions that affect Australia's 20 million people get made in this political hotspot. It makes me excited when I think of all the stuff that happens behind closed doors - conspiracy theories that could be shattered or made true. It's almost like your touching Australian history in the making!
I've decided that I'm going to save up and go to a different country almost every year or every two years. I have this book called "The Travel Book" and it's a huge document filled with every country in the world. I'm trying to write my travel hit list but it is way too long. Every time I turn a page in the book I want to write down a different country. There is no way I can cut the list. How can I justify Kenya's inclusion over Vietnam? How can I decide between Italy and Mongolia? It's just too hard. I caught the travel bug early in life and I was hoping I would follow a path which would allow me to touch down on different continents on a regular basis... but it doesn't look like this is achievable, and I would never ever want to change jobs.
So I must just go where my heart takes me! So far India is at the top of my list... then Peru then Iran. These are countries which I've been obsessed with in the past and to an extent am still obsessed with. I don't think my love affair with India will ever die, maybe it will flicker in and out of prominence but I think it will always stay there!
Isn’t it weird how we become obsessed with different things?
But Vanuatu is definately one of my true homes! |
| posted by Lidia @ 4:18 PM |
|
|
| Sunday, November 12, 2006 |
|
I've gotten incredibly slack with my blog lately. I think it's because after writing all day at work, i come home and just couldn't be bothered writing anything else.
I've also become increasingly paranoid about he reprecussions of blogging. I think that's why i deleted my last blog. I was scared that sometime in the future, my stupid views and personality traits will come back and bite me square on the backside. Don't believe me? Take the case of poor Mr Gary Anderton, a 24 year old Liberal running for a seat in Lyndhurst ( i think...not too sure) Anyway, this young man had a blog in 2004 in which he stupidly made a number of racist comments involving Aboriginal people and other ethnicities such as Indian.
We all know that the liberals are a sorry bunch but it doesn't get anymore sad than this.
Gary Anderton on his blog:
"I could go back to genetics … the majority of Australian Aboriginals have a drinking or physical abuse disorder. The percentage is higher than another (sic) cultural group …
"Let's be honest, Aboriginals and success do not necessarily go hand-in-hand … Aboriginals are 'ignorant, discriminatory and prejudicial individuals'."
EXCUSE ME MR ANDERTON. In case you haven't checked, Aboriginal people are strong...we've endured almost a hundred years of cultural genocide at the hands of Europeans and is there even a real 'drinking or physical abuse disorder'- is that scientific??? NIT had a HUGE go at him in Blackchat - a political gossip column on Indigenous affairs. You can find the article here: www.nit.com.au/opinion/story.aspx?id=8362
He also commented on Indian doctors in Australia in which he described one as "an Indian doctor, of all things, that absolutely stunk and obviously received a full fee degree. In other words, (he had) no idea."
How much more offensive can you get?
He has now basically wrecked his chances of winning his electorate, which i heard was unwinnable anyway.
But anyway, that's why i've been a bit paranoid. But one of my favourite bloggers, Iris, has commissioned me to a tag, and because i like Iris, and I like tags...well i couldn't say no!!
Rules are:
1. Write 8-10 things about childhood that you miss.
2. Write 8-10 things that you disliked about childhood.
3. Tag a few people.
The things i miss...
1. Having no responsibilities - i loved being able to wake up and know that i didn't have much on. I could come home from school, do 15 minutes of homework then ride around the neighbourhood on my bike.
2. My naivity - i'm still pretty naive, but i liked thinking the best of people... it's sad that we live in a world where we have to watch out for everyone and lock our doors at night.
3. Sitting on my mum and dad's lap - it's the best thing ever but now i'm too big and i have two little brothers who steal it away from me! haha i don't mind though.
4. Feeling that special fuzzy feeling when i went to look at Christmas lights, and getting those butterflies on Christmas eve, thinking what santa was going to bring me! I don't get it now cause i realize the materialism of christmas, and i would rather celebrate Jesus' birth in a more spiritual way.
5. My sister and I had many role plays we used to constantly play out, but they were pretty much the same just in different forms. For example, we used to play Indians - but Hayley used to play the younger pretty one who ran off wiht the cowboy and i used to play the sensible older sibling obsessed with my horse. Then we'd play mermaids and Hayley used to be the younger prettier one who was going to marry the Prince of the Pacific (go figure) andi was the older sensible one who was obsessed with my sea horse...the plots never really changed.
6. Being good at sport - i was actually quite good when i was younger but i got slower and lazier when i got older! Now i can barely run aroudn the block without getting puffed :)
7. I used to play this game where i changed my bike into a horse. I put shoelaces on the handlebars and used them as reins and i used to have a fake horse studio in my backyard and did fake horse shows where i played everyone so i could always win.
8. Not caring about my appearance. Being pretty or thin or neat isn't important when your a child, cause your automatically cute. When you grow up you have to deal with the burden of vanity!
9. I had to add this one for the girls - not having "that time of the month" haha
The Things I don't miss
1. Going to bed at 8:30 every night - how on earth did i do it?
2. sibling wars!! :)- haha, it still happens but i agree with you Iris!
3. Silly pity little fights with friends over misplaced pencil cases and little boys who don't matter!
4. the lack of knowledge
5. no money :(
6. Not being taken seriously
7. not being allowed to watch certain movies
8. having to stay in one spot for so long - i was in the same town for 17 years!
Yay!
ALl done!
I tag Melissa, Chris and Kate...
Luv Amy |
| posted by Lidia @ 2:26 PM |
|
|
|
| Want to know more? |
|
|
| Udah Lewat |
|
| Archives |
|
|
| Condensed list of places to visit |
| India Peru Iran Brunei Uganda Burundi Hong Kong Canada Colombia New Caledonia Guinea-Bissau Malta Micronesia PNG Thailand the Moon. |
| Quote of the moment |
Genuine politics -- even politics worthy of the name -- the only politics I am willing to devote myself to -- is simply a matter of serving those around us: serving the community and serving those who will come after us. Its deepest roots are moral because it is a responsibility expressed through action, to and for the whole. - Vaclav Havel |
| Sites Amy Visits |
|
|
| Template By |
|
|
