war and fashion

Before I start, yes I remember how rabidly against the war I was. But a few conversations with a few people wiser than myself at least gave me the chance to think a little critically about my own standpoint.
But now it's just so common to be 'against the war' - that it's not a critical standpoint at all; far more something that people just drift into. A counter-war standpoint is the Robbie Williams of politics… and given that politics is the Jamiroquai of thought… well lets just say that being against the war is seriously uncool.

As always, the sexiest position is that of the shrug. The I don't really care either way. It was good that they got rid of the most murderous man alive, and now they should probably leave Iraq as soon as possible. Perhaps they should also tackle Saudi, Syria and Iran before they become too much trouble.

The truth is that 'our' way of life is good. I think it is better (perhaps this is the attitude that made me an abysmal anthropologist) than the way of life of poor people in China, Iran or India. I think that most of the poor people would probably say something like, "Yes, Tom. Your way of life is far more comfortable than ours. You are much less likely to die at the age of forty five. You have a varied diet, fresh, clean water - just for showering in, fruits and vegetables from all around the world. You have a television, a DVD player and a computer with which you can access the internet. You have a flat, furniture, rooms and amenities just for your and your girlfriend's use. You have a benign oligarchy running things in your country, perhaps skimming a little off the top now and again, but generally managing finance, industry and society as well as it can. You have a police force genuinely interested in your protection. You have street lighting, integrated public transport, an office job, a loving family (none of whom are starving or 'missing'), travel, bars, hospitals, trade unions, elections, freedoms, people who clean the pavements, firemen, electricity, gas, compact discs, and many other things besides. You know, Tom, just because we live in a different country, and just because we have religion or 'traditional beliefs', it doesn't mean we don't want to have a way of life like yours."
Perhaps the mission to take liberal democracy to the middle east is politically difficult to justify. Morally, it seems the only thing to do. A global philanthropy, whereby we help our brothers and sisters in other lands start to lead lives like ours, is quite a good idea. It will remove from power brutal dictators, murderers, genocides and extremist 'clerics' who do nothing but punish their charges, like Saddam Hussein, the Ayatollah and even Fidel Castro.

I don't like Bush either. But he's no Saddam, and he's not Hitler. Let's put things back in proportion.

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September 28, 2003 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

My Australian Family

I'm going to see them in June (all going according to plan)… but for the moment, I will have to make do with some photographs sent to me by Asha, my wicked stepmother.

I may post the photos on here, but I shall ask Ash first (in fact, you're probably reading this, no?) — I'm just so excited at the thought of going back there. There certainly won't be a chance to go to WA, but if we've saved enough money, then Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne… and possibly Brisbane and Queensland will be on our intinerary [I just ran a spell check on this post and came up against the following suggestions:Sydney - Sadness, Brisbane - Breakable, Queensland - Quenchless… and something I can't remember for Canberra - but did not detect 'itinerary' spelled as 'intinerary'!], as well as (hopefully) Singapore and London.

[Edited 25th July 2005]

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September 28, 2003 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

well bad

I am *totally* going to get a paid hosting for this next month. I's sick of the ads mate.
assos 7 is a success:
the theme from the test cricket,
some libertines,
some darkness,
some tito puente ('ay, mi cuba!')
some datsuns,
some mc5

and some other stuff.

next assos album: 20 assos — the twenty best singles ever
it might take a while longer to compile this one. full assos compilations page up soon.

[Listening to: Indo Silver Club - Daft Punk - Homework (04:35)]
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September 16, 2003 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

where are we going?

well work's getting easier as I pick up the vital knowledge of what works in the war to appear busy.

life's good. we're going away on a weekend with my colleagues on friday. not sure, but i spose it's a good idea.

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September 15, 2003 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

hello sunshine

i'm happy with the new job…. in the interest of preserving my independence here, I'm not going to name the firms involved, nor give this address to my colleagues.

one of whom (though apparently Dutch) looks like a Russian prostitute. One of the guys described her as 'gorgeous'.
They're all ok people: don't get me wrong… it's like Alan Partridge said: "I just don't like … the general public"

[Listening to: Golden Retriever - Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power (02:28)]
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September 13, 2003 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

ah man

i am so knak-knak-knackered with this new job.
what i do is this: receive orders from one 'major oil company' to one 'major computer company', check them, log them and send them on their way. serious.
said oil company orders around 50,000 to 100,000 u.s. dollars worth of computers for its various departments (only the ones in europe thought, cos that's all i handle) EVERY DAY. how? what do they do with them? someone should tell said oil company that chucking computers away after a week isn't v economical or ecological, but on the other hand they hardly need to worry on the first count, and on the second they obviously don't care anyway! yay!
i haven't signed my contract yet, but I can see some future in the job; and it makes it possible for me to visit oz again next year! (hopefully take G to Perth-o and Fre-o too, but will need somewhere to stay).

pizza save me

[Listening to: Bummer in the Summer - Love - Forever Changes (02:25)]
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September 10, 2003 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

the greatest game ever made ?

Psycho Fox

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September 5, 2003 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

badrash

HAHA what a bunch of loser asses!!!
Someone has registered www.badrash.com. They appear to be something of a hippie/loser clothing company. Quote:

"Political gear From anarchy to vegan in and out and all ends except right"
Oh you're so clever. What does it cost to register a trademark, or accuse someone of stealing your name?
I've been using 'badrash' and 'thebadrash' since about 1999… And now I feel like I've been usurped on my own territory.
By hippies!!! It bloody well would be, too.

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September 5, 2003 | Filed Under General | 1 Comment 

job

I got it. A job. With contract.
Mexican tonight.

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September 5, 2003 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

old games

I have just discovered the wealth of ROM games available from snes and megadrive!!
And IF games for z machine.
I will never play direct 3d again!!

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September 5, 2003 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

Marmite lives

I'm planning a novel about Marmite, the romance and emotion connected to it.
The intrigue, perhaps.

One of the saddest moments of my life was when my dad (who had moved to Australia) said that he thought Vegemite was better than Marmite.
One of the happiest moments was when my girlfriend, Gemma (she's Spanish) one day said that she really liked Marmite.

It's amazing how much a yeast-extract spread says about me.
I'm going to go and eat some Marmite.

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September 3, 2003 | Filed Under General | Leave a Comment 

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