The late-July update

Semester Two at UQ has begun, starting back on Monday, the 25th. I suppose I am happy to be back, though I really enjoyed the holidays. Melbourne being the highlight, of course.


Semester Two Courses:

Political Science:

Great Issues of International Relations
Terrorism and Insurgency in World Politics
Political Leadership

Elective:

Philosophy: Social Ethics


I was reluctant to choose Terrorism and Insurgency, mainly because my views on terrorism could easily clash with the lecturer's/tutors' views on the subject, and I was afraid of getting a pro-war, right-wing lecturer. My lecturer for Foreign Policies of the Great Powers in Semester One was too openly biased (in favour of a school of thought which which I disagree). That was off-putting. However, I came to the conclusion that terrorism and insurgency are issues too relevant to ignore. I believe the threat of terrorism has been exaggerated and used as a tool for unnecessary fear. Yet, it is (and will remain) a subject at the forefront of political conversation. Hence, I chose it.

Prior to the holidays, I was seriously considering parting from my philosophy studies. This was because I felt very unconfident with it, and as though everyone else was miles ahead in their grasp and knowledge of philosophers and their theories. However, after receiving a 6 for Continental Philosophy (a major shock), I decided to continue with it. Philosophy is, after all, very important and a wonderful thing to delve into (though it does have the tendency to become complex and frustrating).
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I was at Southbank on Wednesday night to see fifteen short films: finalists in the Short Film Competition for Brisbane's film festival. I'm glad I went. There were a lot of people there too. I wish I had the necessary facilities and resources to make a film. My ideas come and they go.
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"I sometimes feel that Alfred E. Neuman is in charge in Washington"
- Senator Hillary Clinton

Proof... (sort of)

Top: 3rd March, 2002. Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane. Meeting The Queen: That's the back of my head, with the red shirt, in the process of giving Her Majesty five sunflowers. She did make eye contact with me when thanking me, despite the photo on the right showing her glancing away. Everyone was trying to say something to her.

Bottom: The March 19, 2002 edition of Hello! magazine. The Queen holding my sunflowers! Unfortunately, the photo does not capture much of nervous little old me. The red arrows show my forehead and the video camera I was also holding. Notice I faced the damaged sunflower away from The Queen. The gentleman standing behind her is the bodyguard who had assured me that she would come over our way.

Favourite Quotes

Having actually too much on my mind to type about, I've decided to post a select few of my favourite quotations.
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He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.
Sir Winston Churchill

1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure.
Queen Elizabeth II

It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens.
Woody Allen

I think, therefore I am.
René Descartes

I've had a wonderful evening. But this wasn't it.
Groucho Marx

Image: Garden Party

I've put this photo up for anyone interested in what a Garden Party looks like. This image is from one of this year's parties (July 14, 2005). At this moment, The Queen and Prince Philip would have just appeared. 'God Save The Queen' is played by the on-site band who also supply the background music. To the left of the photo is where the guest marquees are situated. To the right is the Royal marquee which the Royals eventually reach after mingling with the guests. I actually picked up a couple of pebbles from the bottom of the stairs here (and a leaf from next to the tennis court).

Why The Queen Rules

It is two years ago, today, that I attended The Queen's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace: a completely unforgettable, yet surreal, event. It was the second time I had the tremendous honour to be in Her Majesty's company.

Queen Elizabeth II is one of my favourite people. And if there is anyone who understands how bizarre that sounds to many people - how 'un-trendy' it is to hold such a fascination - , it is me. I don't need anyone to remind me. I've had to put up with tons of predictable, insulting crap from people who either can't get their brains around such a thing, or who simply don't possess brains.

It is difficult to not hold immense respect for The Queen, particularly after having met Her, and having received an invitation from Her for afternoon tea in Her rather large backyard. She and Her Family would surely have to be some of the most misunderstood human beings on the planet. I admit that sometimes I fear that The Queen's massive financial wealth could be understandably seen as unjustified. However, many people are either unaware of or ignorant to the ways in which that money is spent. The Queen is, after all, the Head of State for several nations; the Head of the Commonwealth; the Supreme Governor of the Church of England; the Head of the Armed Forces in various countries; the reason for the survival of Britain's tourism industry; and one of the United Kingdom's most dedicated charity-workers.

She is one of those rare people in the public spotlight who has rarely ever put a foot wrong. She has held herself with such incredible dignity and grace, attracting vast crowds wherever She ventures. Surely, in a time when we almost expect celebrities to be caught up in scandal, such qualities must be valued and envied.

She has led Her nation through its best and worst times. It seems to be a natural thing in London to come together at the gates of Buckingham Palace when celebrating an event, or marking a tragedy.

Anyone who saw Her amazingly calm and collected reaction to an assassination attempt in 1981 would have seen for themselves the inner toughness of this woman, who was also for many years a target of the IRA. I am still in awe of the way She dealt with the intruder who entered her Buckingham Palace bedroom, on a morning when security were seemingly asleep and her panic button had failed to fulfil its role.

She is one of, if not the last member of The Royal Family whose image and popularity throughout the world remains unblemished, despite the controversies surrounding The Royal Family over the past fifteen years. As well, She has retained the mystique that surrounds Her and The Royal Family. As a result, The Queen remains a magnificently mysterious figure.

What a day two years ago. Dream-like, to say the least.

Phillip Adams

Phillip Adams

Phillip Adams is fairly well-known in this country. He works for The Australian, writing in the editorial section. He has his own page in The Weekend Australian magazine, which I read every week. He also has a radio program, but I don't believe that it can be accessed in Brisbane.

The Australian (12/07) yesterday contained an article of his in the editorial pages, titled Britain had this coming. I know, it's a striking choice of words, considering the events in London are still very recent. However, the article itself is very, very good. Most of it hits the right chord, for me at least.

It was bagged on the radio last night by 2UE's John Kerr, and most of his callers. The conversations that I heard were not discussions of the points raised by Adams, but rather the fact that the headline is offensive and the timing of the article is inappropriate. And, of course, there was the inevitable criticism of Phillip Adams himself. Kerr said something along the lines of "I don't think there are many people who do [like Phillip Adams]". Well, I for one actually do like him. I think he brings up a lot of what people are thinking, but are too afraid to express at the risk of being unjustifiably ridiculed as useless liberals.

I highly recommend that you read the article.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15896874%255E12272,00.html
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Have you heard about http://earth.google.com/?

This morning, I went and saw Oyster Farmer at the Dendy. I enjoyed it. It was a really good quality, Australian film. The Australian film industry is struggling at the moment, so I hope that films like this one can help it recover. I genuinely encourage people to see more local films. Most are really well-made, consisting of great actors, three-dimensional characters, and real stories. There's too much brainless crap at the cinemas and on TV, yet people seem all too willing to accept and consume it.




And often forgotten, Australia has some wonderful actors...

Rush; Blanchett; Kidman; Thompson; Armstrong; Wenham; Weaving; Neill; Hunter; Thornton; McInnes; Griffiths; Crowe; Collette; Watts; Pearce, to name a few of the more familiar ones.

Clockwise from bottom left: Outside a city church near Parliament; me in Federation Square; me at the Queen Victoria Markets.

I visited Melbourne from the 25th to the 29th, staying with Hayden (as he already knows...). I had an absolutely fantastic time. Was my first time visiting Melbourne, and it is a marvellous city. I enjoyed myself even more than I'd anticipated. Thanks again Hayden for your generosity, your hospitality and for being such an excellent guide. We saw everything!The top photo is me at Federation Square; bottom left is fairly obvious; and bottom right is me at the Queen Victoria Markets.My visit further confirmed my beliefs that Brisbane is boring and uneventful.
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The events in London are really horrible. I was watching The 7:30 Report last night when the news came through. And occurring less than twenty-four hours after the Olympics announcement.....
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And on the subject of the government's Industrial Relations reforms...

I was wondering... what would the Prime Minister think if he was on holidays (as he was just recently) and got a call from Buckingham Palace. His boss - QEII - says: "John, look, we need you back at work to discuss those trade relations with Commonwealth countries in the South Pacific region." The reply comes, "Oh. Well, I'm on holidays right now, I'm sure the Deputy could take care of that." Her Maj, not happy, responds: "Oh. Well that's not good enough, John. Listen, I'm going to have to dismiss your government. Ta ta."