Yadda Yadda Yadda

Yes, I am talking about the sweet talking, blood sucking, piano playing vampire from Twilight, Edward.

I am not in love with him, which appears to make me stand out against millions of girls around the world. And this is a fact that concerns me.

Yes, he's hot. We get it. He's hot, and he's utterly and irreversibly in love with Bella. But is love enough? I say no. I have nothing against love, and passionate love at that, but when it becomes an excuse for inexcusable behaviour there is a problem. He is controlling beyond reason. He tells her what to do, where she can go, and who she can be friends with. And because she loves him, she lets him control her. He even kidnaps her a couple of times, forcing her to be where he thinks she ought to be. All under the guise of keeping her safe. I do not doubt the lovely motives, but does that really make it ok? I say absolutely not!

This perfect ideal of Edward sets up a whole generation of young girls to get in abusive, controlling relationships. If he loves me, it's ok. He controls me because he cares. Then it's a slippery slope, from control to abuse. I'm not saying all controlling guys end up abusing their girlfriends/wives, but it lends itself to going in that direction.

Yes Edward never hurts her physically, but does that make it ok? Not in my book. Not that I have a book... you get my point though.

Love is not an excuse for poor behaviour. Controlling relationships are not ok and should not be set up as an over-romanticised ideal. Bella constantly gets mad at Edward, then forgives him as soon as she sees him coz he's so hot and she loves him! That is not ok! Girls need to be taught to respect themselves and expect men to respect them too, not offer up excuses for why they are not being respected.

I may be a little late jumping on the internet bashing band wagon, but I find it's still a topic I feel passionate about.
Someone asked me what I thought about it the other night and I still fired up about this issue. So here I am, back on the blog, my little virtual soap box!

I'm talking about the Kyle & Jackie O 'radio stunt' that 'shocked a nation'.
Side note: I'm so sick of the terms 'radio stunt' and 'shock jock'. Let's just ban them now. And stunt is not a strong enough word for what they did.

Whose fault is it? It's everyone's.

The mum is a horrendously irresponsible parent who has obviously done her daughter immense damage over the years, and appears to be continuing to do so. Any parent who would know about a daughter's rape and then ask her about it on air shouldn't have kids. I feel so bad for that girl. She will need some serious help. I pray she gets it.

And Kyle & Jackie O? Who cares if they didn't know she was raped! They put a 14 year old girl on their live radio show and asked her about her sex life. What did they think was going to happen?! There is no scenario where that turns out well. The girl was always going to lose. They clearly care about their ratings more than that girl. They used and abused her for entertainment purposes. She did not want to be there and she is below the age of consent. They are pathetic, abusive and irresponsible public figures and I'm ashamed they are Australian 'personalities'.

And Austero management? They are to blame too. They gave the segment the go ahead and let it go to air. They are just as bad as Kyle & Jackie O. Speaking of Jackie O, why is she not coping the blame? Why is it being shifted over to Kyle? Now I'm no fan of Kyle's, but why is it just his fault? Why does he get all the headlines when his co-host is just as deplorable as he is?

As you can see I'm still angry about it. And for a good piece on the story by Media Watch, click on the link below.

Media Watch on Kyle & Jackie O

I don't like Taylor Swift, but this is very cool!

Well yesterday I started my final teaching placement. I'm teaching full time for the next 5 weeks, then 9 weeks of classes, then I'm officially a teacher. Scary thought? Lock up your children...
I promise not to scar them. Too much.

So far so good. My supervising teachers are all lovely and I think I'm going to really enjoy this placement. Can I get a yay? Ok, I'll give myself one. YAY!
I feel confident (but hopefully not cocky!) that I'm equipped to do a good job. And if not, there are people around to help me.
Like I said, so far so good. But it is only day 2... They haven't destroyed my soul yet.

In Due Season

So many giggles!

This is the best short film I've ever seen. Just incredible. You've got to see it!

Wow. Pan's Labyrinth. Sometimes there is no poetry and life just sucks. Brilliant film.

I've finally narrowed down my Top 10 for Triple J's Hottest 100. Here it is:

The beach boys - God only knows
Radiohead - Paranoid Android
Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
Glen Hansard - Falling Slowly
Crowded House - Better be home soon
Phil Colins - Against all odds
Elton John - Your song
The Whitlams - Buy Now Pay Later
George - Special Ones
Sting - Fields of Gold

A true loss to our collective psyche. RIP MJ. Regardless of his controversial life, he was a true musical genius. Another sad loss in Farrah Fawcett. A tragic battle finally lost. Both gave huge contributions to pop culture as we know it. Will leave a huge hole. Controversy and all.

Man in the mirror is my favourite Michael Jackson song. What's yours?

Wow I hear you saying.
A far cry from the Snuggie topics of late.
A little more serious than I have been tacking lately, but something I've been thinking about.
No I'm not dying. No I don't want to die. There is no hidden agenda here!
I just think it's a really contentious issue that needs to be talked about more.
I've been reading up on Dr Philip Nitschke and his campaigning for the legalisation of euthanasia.
Some thoughts:

First up I want to state that I fundamentally disagree with Dr Nitschke on the issue of euthanasia. I’m not here to bash him with words or say how bad he is. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Let me premise this with my stance. My faith leads me to believe that all life is sacred and that no one has the right to take it away. I believe that God created life and no one has the right to decide when a life should end.

However, I realise that this is a contentious issue and there is a lot of grey area. I am not pretending that it is a black and white issue where no discussion should be entered into. I think it is an important dialogue to have, and Dr Nitschke has facilitated that over the years. It’s easy for me to sit back and say I disagree with euthanasia because I don’t know anyone who wants the option to decide when their life ends because of a terminal illness. I know that for those living with these decisions it is far more complicated.

There are endless factors that influence the thinking around this issue and we all need to have understanding and compassion when it comes to talking about euthanasia.

I believe Dr Nitschke is a good and compassionate man. While I disagree with the outcome of his thinking, I know that he is seeking to do the right thing and help people in dire situations. I know he just wants to help people and restore some of their dignity in their final choice. I applaud him for that.

I’m sure he gets an awful lot of opposition and hate mail from those who oppose euthanasia, but I wanted to say something positive about him from someone who disagrees. Within disagreement there is a vital place for open dialogue.

Seeing his interview with Andrew Denton (when it aired) really helped me understand his motivation and his heart for helping people who have no means to help themselves. That is an admirable quality.

I think we need an ongoing dialogue about euthanasia because it is an important issue that affects a lot of people.




Heavy I know, but thoughts?

Kathryn & Jenny came over in their fake $10 Snuggies! Oh yeah! Everyone on board the Snuggie train! Toot toot!

Today our (Luke & my) Snuggies arrived! AND I got 2 new tattoos! Best day ever!
Snuggies are must as awesome as I predicted! I told you they were comfortable heaven! I do not regret my purchase one little bit.

And it's my Mum's birthday! Happy birthday Mum! I love you so much. You are a tremendous person and you inspire me constantly. I have so much respect for you. I am so grateful you're my mother and I appreciate you more than you will ever know. Your generous and giving spirit is always challenging me to be more selfless. I love you.






And my new tattoos! My foot tattoo definitely hurt! It wasn't unbearable, but it hurt. My foot hurt, but my finger was horrendously painful!!! Lucky it was so small!

I've added and subtracted.
New thoughts?

The beach boys - God only knows
Radiohead - Paranoid Android
Leonard cohen - Hallelujah
Glen Hansard - Falling Slowly
U2 - With or without you
Crowded House - better be home soon
The beatles - yesterday
Phil Colins - against all odds
John Farhnam - You're the voice
Elton John - your song
Coldplay - warning sign
Josh Groban - Remember when it rained
The Whitlams - Buy Now Pay Later
George - Holiday
Something for Kate - Beautiful Sharks
Dashboard Confessional - Screaming Infidelities
Tim Minchin - Drowned
Sting - Fields of Gold

At the moment Triple J are running The Hottest 100 of all Time. You can only vote for 10 songs. HOW?!!
How I ask you can you only pick 10 songs from all time?!
I feel like it is too much of an important decision and what I choose will define me. I can't bring myself to vote yet!
This is a bit of a working list.
I know this is a very subjective topic, but, Suggestions?

God only knows - the beach boys
Paranoid ANdroid - Radiohead
Hallelujah - leonard cohen
Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard
With or without you - U2
Crowded House - better be home soon/fall at your feet
Indigo girls - power of two
The beatles - yesterday
Phil Colins - against all odds
John Farhnam - You're the voice
Elton John - your song
Coldplay - warning sign
Josh Groban - Remember when it rained
The Whitlams - Buy Now Pay Later
Holiday - George

Ok, now I have an even newer template. I like this one.
This one stays.

I have a new blog look. Thoughts?
I might still change it.

I'm sure most of you have seen this before, but if you haven't here it is. And if you have, it's worth watching again.