As from now, this site is not to continue.

There are definitely reasons involved. It isn't all to do with the fact that I find myself way too busy to be making anything-remotely-resembling-regular posts. The reasons revolve around the entire concept of blogging and what that involves. It's seriously time to stop. And don't take it the wrong way, but it's been pretty refreshing to have had a blogging-free period of late.

Thank you to dear Sarah, dear Lisa, dear Jennifer, dear Hayden, dear Don Quixote, dear Magic Bellybutton, dear David, and dear anyone who ever read a word on here since the May 2005 start and was either interested enough or loyal enough or obligated-under-duress enough to return now and then.

~ Greetings Reader ~

I've decided to take a break for a while. I don't know for how long. But I'll let you know (somehow) if / when posting resumes.

Dennis Kucinich

Kucinich is one of several Democrats who is seeking the party's nomination for the next presidential election in 2008. We hear mostly about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. However, after watching some of the first debate between the Democratic contenders last week, I wanted to learn a little more about the lesser-known ones.

Wouldn't it be nice if this man was a genuine frontrunner?

The Kucinich Plan

* Creating a single-payer system of universal health care that provides full coverage for all Americans.
* The immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq and replacing them with an international security force.
* Guaranteed quality education for all, including free pre-kindergarten and college for all who want it.
* Immediate withdrawal from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and North-American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
* Repealing the USA Patriot Act.
* Fostering a world of international cooperation.
* Abolishing the death penalty.
* Environmental renewal and clean energy.
* Preventing the privatisation of social security.
* Providing full social security benefits at age 65.
* Creating a cabinet-level "Department of Peace"
* Ratifying the ABM Treaty and the Kyoto Protocol.
* Protecting a woman's right to choose while decreasing the number of abortions performed in the U.S.
* Ending the war on drugs.
* Legalizing same-sex marriage.
* Creating a balance between workers and corporations.
* Restoring rural communities and family farms.
* Banning hand guns.

(From Wikipedia)

Boris Yeltsin

French election underway...

I'm not an expert on the French system, but I understand that if the margin separating the two frontrunners (of the four main contenders) is close enough, then there will be a second round of voting - which will be the decider. The frontrunners are Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party and Nicolas Sarkozy of the Union for a Popular Movement.

I am hoping that Royal wins. However, despite the pair being neck and neck in the days leading up to the election, many are predicting a Sarkozy victory. We'll see. It is important, of course, that Jean-Marie Le Pen is kept well away from the Elysée Palace.

Streep!

Dark Matter

I've mentioned this one on here previously. It premieres soon at the Sundance Film Festival.

Evening

I just watched the trailer for this one and it looks really good. Meryl Streep plays a much older woman and the rest of the cast includes Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave, Claire Danes, Glenn Close, Eileen Atkins, Patrick Wilson and Hugh Dancy.

Lions for Lambs

Meryl is reunited with Robert Redford, and is also alongside Tom Cruise in this one. She herself has described it as a "complicated political thriller", and she plays a journalist.

Rendition

This one sounds very interesting. A CIA analyst (Jake Gyllenhaal) "based in Cairo finds his world spinning out of control after he witnesses the interrogation of a foreign national by the Egyptian secret police. Reese Witherspoon is playing the pregnant American wife of the national. Alan Arkin also has been cast, playing a senator. Meryl Streep is a government official who orders the rendition of the national."

Mamma Mia!

The screen version of the stage production. Details about the cast remain sketchy, but it'll no doubt mean dancing and more singing for Meryl.

The Last Station

There is no official confirmation, but if indeed Meryl does appear in this film about Leo Tolstoy, her co-actors will likely include Anthony Hopkins and Paul Giamatti.

(the above image, a still from Dark Matter, is from SimplyStreep.com)

Wires crossed

I went via a nearby convenience store on my way to the bus early yesterday morning to buy one of those ten-trip-saver cards that can be used on buses and ferries. The regular behind the counter is an extremely quiet Asian woman. I think her English is relatively limited.

I buy the adult version because my student card expired late last year, and drivers do occasionally ask to see concession cards if you have a concession ticket. Anyway...

I said
"Can I have a concession, two-zone ten-trip saver, thanks?"

She proceeded to get one, scanned it, handed it to me and told me it was $10.80c. I realised when I heard the price that I'd accidentally asked for a concession, not an adult. It was early and I wasn't fully awake.

I poked a look of frustration (with myself), and said
"Did I say concession? I meant adult. Sorry."

I then received a horrified look, before she responded
"but you said concession."

Thinking at the time that she was stating the obvious back to me, I just looked at her and she looked back. A couple of seconds later, she scanned the card again before fetching an adult version. I paid for it and left.

I have concluded that she misinterpreted and/or misheard me as
Did I say concession? I said adult.

And she must have seen the frustrated look on my face as being directed towards her.

Her upset expression made me feel quite bad afterwards.

The Big Dry

For what seems to have been quite a while, I have been telling people that this drought isn't going to end. It isn't very optimistic of me, but I honestly believe that this is a new way of life now.

I just can't see it ending. I can't see the dams being full. I can't see weeks and weeks of rain. Mother Nature, long ago, became fed up with the abuse she was being subjected to and packed her bags, leaving us to our own devices.

It'll rain, but it'll only be for a few hours before those utterly irritating blue skies return for another long stay.

Remember a time when a hot and humid day would end with rain? A time when UQ and the Botanic Gardens had sprawling lushness? When lawn sprinklers were left on for hours? When people hosed their driveway? When weddings were ruined by damp weather? When people actually complained about rain?

It's depressing.

Rudd will be judged

I was halfway through a post about all this Sunrise nonsense before I realised I was indeed posting about nonsense. But let me ask, did Kevin Rudd's actions (whatever they were...not reading an e-mail or something) result in anyone's death or vilification? No? Well, I'm sorry, but he remains an extraordinarily more respectable human being than the Prime Minister as far as I'm concerned.

And I've also got to tell you... I checked Google's online news for Australia not long ago, and the leading headline was Voters to judge Rudd over 'Sunrise': Howard. ...Well, as we're on the subject of the sun, can I just say that I would have thought global warming was a marginally more important issue than morning television.... So can we get back to real issues, thanks?