The old man slowly ambled into the lobby of the train station. Like everyone else, he immediately noticed the large group, consisting of mostly women, all wearing red and shook his head. Just like everyone else he knew their cause, knew that it was a worthy one.
But he still didn't support them.
He didn't see the point of them causing so much disruption to everyone else. He knew that they weren't going to get their payrise.
He had seen this before. Seen it many times. Had even been involved in a few protests. He knew how it would end:
If they were lucky the teacher's protest would result in nothing except extensive media coverage. Of course, this wouldn't be enough and more strikes would
follow.
He remembered his own days when he had protested for a payrise. Just like the teachers, he and his colleagues had been determined to keep striking until they were offered a decent payrise. They striked frequently for about 12 months before the company became completely fed up and fired everyone, not just the people striking.
This naturally angered everyone, and all of the former employees took to the streets to protest against their sacking.
They should've just left it to a few angry words over a couple of rounds of beer the night before:
The police were waiting for them the next day. They clashed violently with the police and many of them were arrested and charged with disrupting the peace and resisting arrest as well as many others charges.
The old man, then a young man, had been charged as one of the ringleaders. He had been sent to prison.
When he was released many years later he had learnt his lesson: it wasn't worth protesting for better pay and working conditions, no matter how bad they are.
Once released, he struggled to find employment again. Because of his past, potential employers saw his as a possible trouble maker not worth employing. Even the government was reluctant to pay him welfare, believing that his current situation was self inflicted.
Eventually, though, he was able to find part time work doing clerical duties a couple of days a week. Although he knew he was being severly underpaid he didn't dare to complain about. Being underpaid was still better than not being paid.
His lesson had been learnt.
Now he looked on as the striking teacher excitedly prepared for their protest. He knew what was in store for them and couldn't believe that they couldn't see it for themselves.
"You're wasting your bloody time. And everybody else's." He growled at a nearby teacher with so vividly red that she had obviously died it for the occasion.
She glared at him as he made his way to the platform to wait foe his train.
He didn't care that he had angered her. He knew what her future had in store for her.
He had experienced it himself.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
The Family on the Train (A Quick Observation)
It was the family's first trip out of town. The three of them sat eagerly on the train, anxiously wondering if their fortunes would change in Melbourne.
To show his independence the son sat on a different set of four seats to his parents. But as soon as he heard the conductor announce that the train would be stopping at more stations and picking up more passengers he quickly rejoined his parents and sat next to his father. Despite their rough appearance, or maybe because of this, the family had interacted with few people outside of their little unit. The thought of sitting next to a stranger was just too much for the son.
As the train departed the station, the whole family played around with their own iPhone, the father and son showing each other the games they were playing and trying to beat the other's high score. The mother stared sullenly out the window listening to music through bright green earphones that matched the Monster can she was drinking from. Of the three of them, she was the least excited about their move to Melbourne. Probably because they were moving with only the clothes on their backs, their iPhones and whatever money they had in the pockets.
Not the best new beginning.
Especially when moving to a big city like Melbourne.
But she knew that it was their only choice. That they had to hope for the best once they arrived. Hope that at least one of the three could find find work go support the rest.
They all knew that their chances of finding working were bleak. But no one voiced this fear. Choosing to ignore that they could be stuck in a big, strange city with the friends or family and without any food and shelter. Without a way back home.
This was their last chance to survive.
None of them were willing to acknowledge that this venture could , and most probably would, fail. The consequences were too dire for them if it did.
To show his independence the son sat on a different set of four seats to his parents. But as soon as he heard the conductor announce that the train would be stopping at more stations and picking up more passengers he quickly rejoined his parents and sat next to his father. Despite their rough appearance, or maybe because of this, the family had interacted with few people outside of their little unit. The thought of sitting next to a stranger was just too much for the son.
As the train departed the station, the whole family played around with their own iPhone, the father and son showing each other the games they were playing and trying to beat the other's high score. The mother stared sullenly out the window listening to music through bright green earphones that matched the Monster can she was drinking from. Of the three of them, she was the least excited about their move to Melbourne. Probably because they were moving with only the clothes on their backs, their iPhones and whatever money they had in the pockets.
Not the best new beginning.
Especially when moving to a big city like Melbourne.
But she knew that it was their only choice. That they had to hope for the best once they arrived. Hope that at least one of the three could find find work go support the rest.
They all knew that their chances of finding working were bleak. But no one voiced this fear. Choosing to ignore that they could be stuck in a big, strange city with the friends or family and without any food and shelter. Without a way back home.
This was their last chance to survive.
None of them were willing to acknowledge that this venture could , and most probably would, fail. The consequences were too dire for them if it did.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Vline, The Time Traveller's Choice of Transport
I have often wondered why the Vline drivers sometimes announce that the train will be running express from Melton to Bacchus Marsh, Bacchus Marsh to Ballan etc etc when it's very clear that there are no stops to stop at between those places.
Who would be foolish enough to think that they could take the train to a stop between Ballan and Ballarat?
But then it just occurred to me, the time travellers might not be aware that these stops don't exist at this time. The announcements about running express are for their benefit.
That's right, Vline is in collusion with the time travellers.
You'd think with time travellers Vline would manage to be punctual more often.
Who would be foolish enough to think that they could take the train to a stop between Ballan and Ballarat?
But then it just occurred to me, the time travellers might not be aware that these stops don't exist at this time. The announcements about running express are for their benefit.
That's right, Vline is in collusion with the time travellers.
You'd think with time travellers Vline would manage to be punctual more often.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Words That Vex Me
Colonel really is a stupid word.
Well, the way that it's pronounced is; kernel.
if it's going to be pronounced that way, then at least it should be spelt a little more phonetically ... or at the very least, it should be spelt a little less like colony.
Or are we just mispronouncing colony? Should we be, in fact, pronouncing it kerny?
Well, according to Google, everyone who pronounces colonel kernel is wrong: colo·nel.
Well, the way that it's pronounced is; kernel.
if it's going to be pronounced that way, then at least it should be spelt a little more phonetically ... or at the very least, it should be spelt a little less like colony.
Or are we just mispronouncing colony? Should we be, in fact, pronouncing it kerny?
Well, according to Google, everyone who pronounces colonel kernel is wrong: colo·nel.
Monday, July 23, 2012
The Hidden Dangers of Sunscreen?
For years we have been told to "slip, slop, slap" in an effort to reduce our chances of getting skin cancer.
Except apparently that's no longer as safe as everyone would have you believe:
Apparently sunscreen now contains nano particles. This helps prevents a white layer being left on your skin after applying sunscreen. To be honest, I never gave the disappearance of this white layer a second thought. I was just happy that it was gone, and that I could protect myself against the sun's rays without this white layer being left behind.
Except however, this could be causing us damage without us even realising it: apparently the nano particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide create free radicals that have the power to destroy painted surfaces and DNA.
Except all this talk of nano particles and free radicals brings to my mind grey mist clouds roaming the land and ravaging everything it touches and leaving behind anarchists in their wake.
Not exactly something that I would associate with sunscreen that is supposed to protect us from the sun's damaging rays.
Apparently there might be some truth to the world ending this year, after all; it seems that everything we or don't do will get us killed. And usually a pretty slow and painful way.
No matter what we do, something unpleasant is going to get us.
Sources;
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/currentissue-P10000045
http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/food-and-health/beauty-and-personal-care/cosmetics/sunscreen-and-nanoparticles.aspx
http://sandpaw.weblogs.anu.edu.au/2012/06/04/nanoparticles-in-sunscreens-small-science-big-risk/
http://www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Publications/Brochures--Fact-Sheets/sunscreens-FAQ/Why-are-nanoparticles-put-in-sunscreens.aspx
Except apparently that's no longer as safe as everyone would have you believe:
Apparently sunscreen now contains nano particles. This helps prevents a white layer being left on your skin after applying sunscreen. To be honest, I never gave the disappearance of this white layer a second thought. I was just happy that it was gone, and that I could protect myself against the sun's rays without this white layer being left behind.
Except however, this could be causing us damage without us even realising it: apparently the nano particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide create free radicals that have the power to destroy painted surfaces and DNA.
Except all this talk of nano particles and free radicals brings to my mind grey mist clouds roaming the land and ravaging everything it touches and leaving behind anarchists in their wake.
Not exactly something that I would associate with sunscreen that is supposed to protect us from the sun's damaging rays.
Apparently there might be some truth to the world ending this year, after all; it seems that everything we or don't do will get us killed. And usually a pretty slow and painful way.
No matter what we do, something unpleasant is going to get us.
Sources;
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/currentissue-P10000045
http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/food-and-health/beauty-and-personal-care/cosmetics/sunscreen-and-nanoparticles.aspx
http://sandpaw.weblogs.anu.edu.au/2012/06/04/nanoparticles-in-sunscreens-small-science-big-risk/
http://www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Publications/Brochures--Fact-Sheets/sunscreens-FAQ/Why-are-nanoparticles-put-in-sunscreens.aspx
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Time to Get Political
Tomorrow Australia will find out if we get a break from the petty squabblings of the Labour Party for a few months or not. Both Gillard and Rudd are claiming that they are the ones who can lead Labour to Victory against Abbot in the next election, which is a complete lie. As long as either of those two is leading the Labour Party, the Liberal Party will win the next election with ease. If Labour is to have any chance of victory a crafty sneaky third bastard needs to put up their hand to run for leadership tomorrow as well.
Who knows, the surprise third candidate might actually be enough to get the votes needed to lead Labour for a few months until the petty squabbling starts up again.
But that's the whole problem with the Labour Leadership, isn't it? They can seem to go a few months before someone gets dissatisfied with his/her lot and starts causing trouble for the party, which then causes the Australian public to lose faith in Labour. Not to mention the annoyance that the people who are supposed to be running this country can't even govern themselves for a few months at a time.
There is a simple way that Labour can avoid all of this trouble and the complete loss of faith that it brings with it; every 18 months or so Labour holds a kind of tournament where anyone who wants to lead Labour can compete.
The events in this tournament will include a few games of Monopoly (to find out how well they can manage finances), Mario Kart Balloon Battles (to see how well they cope under stressful situations), an essay (which will be read by completely neutral judges) about why they think they should be the one to lead Labour, a general knowledge test (we don't want idiots running the country) followed by a round of Dodge Ball (which will be played at 5:30am and may or may not be done so while seriously hungover so that the men can be seperated from the boys, so to speak).
The winner of the Dodge Ball round will automatically go through to the next round, as well as the best performers in general from all of the other tests.
The next, and final round will be a game of Risk. Whoever wins Risk will be the leader of the Labour party for the next 18 months or so.
That should stop all of the childish and petty squabbling over who's turn it is to be in charge.
And remember, Australia, we're not America. We vote for the party not the person.
Who knows, the surprise third candidate might actually be enough to get the votes needed to lead Labour for a few months until the petty squabbling starts up again.
But that's the whole problem with the Labour Leadership, isn't it? They can seem to go a few months before someone gets dissatisfied with his/her lot and starts causing trouble for the party, which then causes the Australian public to lose faith in Labour. Not to mention the annoyance that the people who are supposed to be running this country can't even govern themselves for a few months at a time.
There is a simple way that Labour can avoid all of this trouble and the complete loss of faith that it brings with it; every 18 months or so Labour holds a kind of tournament where anyone who wants to lead Labour can compete.
The events in this tournament will include a few games of Monopoly (to find out how well they can manage finances), Mario Kart Balloon Battles (to see how well they cope under stressful situations), an essay (which will be read by completely neutral judges) about why they think they should be the one to lead Labour, a general knowledge test (we don't want idiots running the country) followed by a round of Dodge Ball (which will be played at 5:30am and may or may not be done so while seriously hungover so that the men can be seperated from the boys, so to speak).
The winner of the Dodge Ball round will automatically go through to the next round, as well as the best performers in general from all of the other tests.
The next, and final round will be a game of Risk. Whoever wins Risk will be the leader of the Labour party for the next 18 months or so.
That should stop all of the childish and petty squabbling over who's turn it is to be in charge.
And remember, Australia, we're not America. We vote for the party not the person.
Friday, February 17, 2012
OMG!
I'm some sort of magical person with special access to some powerful magical force within the universe! Or at least that's what Tara is saying ... and I don't know how this is supposed to help her convince me to pay for her pyschic services; why would I need to pay for something that I can apparently do myself?
Although, maybe I should give Tara some compensation for revealing my apparent Jedi powers to me. I doubt I would've figured that out by myself.
Maybe Jedi isn't the right term to use, since they seem to have an immediate result when they put their mind to something. According to Tara I have to have patience and let whatever it is I want to happen to happen in it's own time ... which is probably why I would never have figured out that I have some kind of awesome, albeit weak, Jedi powers.
But still, if I really do have a connection with the Supreme Vibration, which is apparently the real power in the universe, then it's not something to sniff at ... even if I wish it was a little stronger within me so that I could be a little more like a real Jedi and be able to perform mind tricks and lift things with my mind.
Although, there was nothing in Tara's email that said that I couldn't do any of this stuff. All she said is that I just have to focus on a realistic and attainable goal. I doubt that Jedi's are able to instantly lift things with their minds. So maybe I should give this a try and start small and gradually work my way up to throwing things across the room without lifting a finger.
After all, as Tara said, The Supreme Vibration is within me.
Although, maybe I should give Tara some compensation for revealing my apparent Jedi powers to me. I doubt I would've figured that out by myself.
Maybe Jedi isn't the right term to use, since they seem to have an immediate result when they put their mind to something. According to Tara I have to have patience and let whatever it is I want to happen to happen in it's own time ... which is probably why I would never have figured out that I have some kind of awesome, albeit weak, Jedi powers.
But still, if I really do have a connection with the Supreme Vibration, which is apparently the real power in the universe, then it's not something to sniff at ... even if I wish it was a little stronger within me so that I could be a little more like a real Jedi and be able to perform mind tricks and lift things with my mind.
Although, there was nothing in Tara's email that said that I couldn't do any of this stuff. All she said is that I just have to focus on a realistic and attainable goal. I doubt that Jedi's are able to instantly lift things with their minds. So maybe I should give this a try and start small and gradually work my way up to throwing things across the room without lifting a finger.
After all, as Tara said, The Supreme Vibration is within me.
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