Harry Potter, the Hero who does nothing

"Harry never was a classical hero. He was (and stayed) whiney, selfcentered and immature (of course if you define Frodo as a hero, this would qualify Harry). I know some hardcore Potter fans, writing their fan fiction in Potter forums and all. They are fascinated by the series, but they all say they don’t think of Harry as a likeable person (I’m talking about adults here of course). On the other hand, you don’t have to be perfect to be basically a good person. And you don’t have to be perfect OR a good person OR a hero to be a good protagonist to drive a good story. Classical heroes are out anyway (I sometimes miss them). So, given he IS clearly the protagonist, what makes a hero in your eyes? Obviousely the one who defeats the antagonist. But thats not the definition. A tragic hero may even be slain himself. A hero is the one who, by heroic actions and character, inspires the audience. The one they would consider as a role model. Personally I can’t see this in Harry."

Ben at http://thetorchonline.com/2009/11/08/was-harry-potter-really-the-hero-of-the-harry-potter-series/

The secret to making yourself care for and love someone is simply to give to them

The secret to making yourself care for and love someone is simply to give to them...

Is this true....

Visit from a dying friend

NOTE THIS IS NOT MY POEM, it is another's.

Visit From a Dying Friend

william

Even the sun dies, he said, 1 and if you lived a hundred million years 2 you could watch every star 3 twinkle out of the sky 4 like lights in the city below 5 (or snowflakes, 6 on touching warm pavement). 7 8 I told him I’d love him to 9 even that moment of full black; 10 but he told me that no one 11 lives for that long. 12 13 We stood on the hill 14 over the valley past sunset 15 and I loved him 16 (though there was no snow on the ground) 17 and when he was gone 18 the city was dark in the valley 19 and I felt a hundred 20 million years old. 21

http://www.poetrycritical.net/read/1439/

Zen Habits - A users guide to fabulous friendships

Zen Habits - A users guide to fabulous friendships

Zen habits... has another great post.. here are a few tidbits:

Surround yourself with people who reflect the person you want to be

Choose friends you are proud to know, people you admire, who love and respect you. People who make your day a little sunnier, simply by being in it.


Personally, I don’t think you can go past honesty, loyalty and integrity as a foundation for choosing friends

If you have to really think about the last time you were in contact with a friend, then it was too long ago.

Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and others will do the same.
This is probably the most important point. You cannot be a friend to others, if you are not a friend to yourself. Have you ever noticed that some people are taken advantage of by everyone. They attract users and frauds like honey. This is not a coincidence. If you want other people to treat you with respect, then you need to be the first person in line to respect yourself. Being a good friend does not mean being a doormat. The kinder you are to yourself the happier you will be. The happier you are, the more you have to give to others. It is one big merry-go-round of happiness. Join the ride.

When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion."

When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion."
Abraham Lincoln

Surprise musical in food court, diners confused, hilarity ensues.

Entertainment while you eat; bringing the fun in, one napkin at a time.

For your enjoyment, from the Improv Website, in their own words:

For our latest mission, 16 agents staged a spontaneous musical in the food court of a Los Angeles shopping mall. We used wireless microphones to amplify the vocal performances and mix them together with the music through the mall’s PA system. We filmed the mission with hidden cameras, mostly behind two-way mirrors. Apart from our performers, no one in the food court was aware of what was happening. Enjoy the video first and then go behind the scenes with our report below.

http://improveverywhere.com/

My Laptop Specs Samsung R40

• Processor: Intel Core Duo T2300E 1.66Ghz (2MB L2 Cache)
• OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Screen size/type: 15.4″ SuperBright Widescreen LCD/matte
• Screen resolution: 1280 x 800
• Graphics: ATI Radeon Xpress 200M 128MB
• RAM: 1.0GB DDR SDRAM (2 x 512MB)
• Hard Drive: 80GB 5400RPM
• Optical drive: DVD-/+RW dual layer
• Battery: 6 Cell Smart Li-ion
• Weight: 2.7kg (5.95lbs)
• Connections: 4 x USB 2.0, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45 (LAN), PC card slot type II, TV-Out (S-video)
• Wireless LAN: Atheros (Super G) AR2423 802.11b.g

Powered by ScribeFire.

My Laptop Specs Samsung R40

• Processor: Intel Core Duo T2300E 1.66Ghz (2MB L2 Cache)
• OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Screen size/type: 15.4″ SuperBright Widescreen LCD/matte
• Screen resolution: 1280 x 800
• Graphics: ATI Radeon Xpress 200M 128MB
• RAM: 1.0GB DDR SDRAM (2 x 512MB)
• Hard Drive: 80GB 5400RPM
• Optical drive: DVD-/+RW dual layer
• Battery: 6 Cell Smart Li-ion
• Weight: 2.7kg (5.95lbs)
• Connections: 4 x USB 2.0, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45 (LAN), PC card slot type II, TV-Out (S-video)
• Wireless LAN: Atheros (Super G) AR2423 802.11b.g

Powered by ScribeFire.

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Spaceship Captains

Love this thing... Love the title...

Neatorama

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Spaceship Captains

150_soloio9 has taken the standard self-improvement list and turned it on its ear, listing the success secrets of leaders from science fiction. My favorite:

5. Just because you have a crappy ship doesn’t mean you’re a loser. Everyone knows that Han Solo, captain of the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars, is piloting a souped-up bucket. And yet his seemingly-crappy ship is probably the very best thing for helping out a group of covert resistance fighters like Obi Wan and Luke. Plus, he knows his ship so well that he can totally slam those Stormtroopers in their McFighters. Lesson learned? Every crappy PC is a lean, mean Linux box waiting to be born. Oh, and in case that didn’t make sense: It’s not the tools; it’s what you do with them.

Link -via Geek Like Me

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Rewards for me

http://www.asda-gifts.co.uk/Product/Id/571/Name/Spy_Academy

Australia Day and Tooting

 
 
 
 

Gym, not like a Monday, Good stuff

At the gym today, the new gym. Didn't want to go, but forced myself to and it was.... OK... Did some good work today, didn't worry so much about being bored or not being motivated or trying to motivate myself, just did it. I like to think that it is the help of the exercise and forcing myself to get out of bed early. Little bit of work tonight at my desk after dinner and now, a little bit of procrastination.

This weekend is shaping up to be a good one. Jen's party, which I must RSVP to for me a nd Maria, 70s theme, disco. And catching up with a friend hopefully on Saturday day. Maria down all weekend. All good.

I've been hunching at my desk. You have been reading and listening like a good puppy. You lost your cable for your computer today. You didn't have any power. The it people said that they would dispatch one as soon as they could, but by the end of the day nothing had arrived. You could have been quite angry at such poor service. Luckily you were able to get by leeching off other peoples power.

Your room is still a bit messy and you could do with some new furniture, say a bookcase to start with. And it would go well in the corner of the room, it would fit like a nice pair of trousers.

You are getting sleepy and will sleep well and warm tonight. You will say goodbye now and chat later, aurevoir.

500 Saturday Words

Recovering from last nights murder mystery and getting over the flu, one would normally have a quiet, non heavy work utilising day. I did not. I rearranged my split level bedroom, moving my bed to the upper room, grocery shopping, going to Sat 6pm mass at St Joseph's, remind me not to go there again, watching Brideshead Revisited... the homosexual tones I find disturbing in that film... Sebastien carries a teddy round with him... Not that that's homesexual, it's weird. In any case, there are some charming moments in the film and there is something charming about sebastian and his cherry take on life and the fact that he does things. He doesn't just sit around chatting.

500 New Year's words.

Thursday 3rd January 2008

When I think of new years, I think of When Harry Met Sally. I do not recommend the movie. There are not many movies that I do recommend, but I am reminded of the end of e moview when they end up together. There are some lovely moving bits in that movie. Like the reporter getting his own words quoted back at him "Pizza is to the nineties what quiche was to the eighties". Nice moment.

The Beatles play in the background from the black sturdy looking small speakers. Elvis would have been proud. Sometimes words would come out from his mind that did not seem to make sense at first. On reflection there was method, but not enough to stop calling it madness aswell.

Back from the brink. I have been wandering my mind, like a dog off his leash and wishing to be back on.

So what have I been doing lately? Trying to help people. At least that is what I would like to do. To do something for others, just one thing every day. Have I done that today. Yes. And say my prayers morning and night. Have I done that today.. Yes. And to work out what I am meant to be doing in this life as regards work, and in the mean time, to go to the gym and then to work... Perhaps perhaps perhaps.

Inspirations comes slow, like honey on cold day. Where is the muse of my writings. I wonder sometimes if I wonder too much? I have been listenining recently to Peter Kreeft. He speaks in such a wonderful melodic way, I wonder if he can be real.

Anyways, I must go and speak to you anon. Well, after I have written about 100 more words, you see this is only about 300. I am seated on a blue plastic and metal chair. The desk in front of me is barely large enough to hold the laptop and the white platic halogen lamp. I switch it on. To my left are shutters on the large window. Noises from the night drift in. I do not want to sleep. For to sleep means to wake tomorrow and I know I shall be tired again.
Today I also tried to help a friend by creating a website for them. Have you ever tried to create a website for someone? I think it would be pretty easy, but who knows. Their group is called the Family Faith Guild. I have c reated them a website using a company called weeple. I think that is the correct name.

I have pain at the top of my back. My head hurts, my ribs are sore, and my legs are tired. I sometimes fancy that I have restless leg syndrome.

Maria is at the faith conference, cold and a bit sick. I hope that she has soup, toast and that time flies by her and her sleep is restorative and good, like a nice warm cup of goodness.

http://www.ambientdesign.com/artragedown.html

http://www.ambientdesign.com/artragedown.html

GREAT painting package on your computer.. I might by a tablet pc for this!

“Fierce and free”

He is a terrible creature, the unicorn; and though he seems to live rather vaguely in Africa, I could never be surprised if he came walking up one of the four white roads that lead to Beaconsfield; the monster whiter than the roads, with his horn higher than a church spire. For all these mystical animals were imagined as enormously big as well as incalculably fierce and free. The stamping of the awful unicorn would shake the endless deserts in which it dwelt; and the wings of the vast griffin went over one’s head in heaven with the thunder of a thousand cherubim. And yet the fact remains that if you had asked a medieval man what the unicorn was supposed to mean, he would have replied, ‘chastity’.

When we have understood that fact we shall understand a great many other things, but above all the civilization out of which we come. Christianity did not conceive Christian virtues as tame, timid, and respectable things. It did conceive of these virtues as vast, defiant, and even destructive things, scorning the yoke of this world, dwelling in the desert, and seeking their meat from God.

- “Monsters and the Middle Ages”, in On Lying in Bed.
[original source unknown (to The Hebdomadarian)]

Where to travel and when - my travel plans

Jan/Feb/Mar
Spain - Seville
Romania - Bucharest
Poland
Greece
Turkey
Portugal - Lisbon
Egypt -
Morocco

April/May/June
St Petersburg
Amsterdam
Barcelona
Berlin
Bolivia
Prague
Turkey
Istanbul

August
Oslo

Riddles

This thing all things devours:
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.

Answer-highlight to view: Time

Tribute to Bob Booth

A TRIBUTE TO THE LEGEND - By James, Year 12 (1999)

After thirty-nine years as a school teacher at Sydney Technical High School, Mr. Booth will be retiring at the end of the year, 1999. During his time, he has served as Science Teacher (1961-1969), Science Head Teacher (1970-1999) and Prefects Master (1973-1981, 1989-1999).

Whether it is Mr. Broome, former School Principal, Mr. Ward, Science Teacher, or Mr. Quill, the current School Principal, they are all full of praise. If ever there was a person, let alone a teacher who seriously had no enemies, Mr. Robert Booth is that person. We will all miss Mr. Booth. Whether it be his gentle smile, his humble yet inspirational words, his subtle humour, or his guidance and encouragement for all to set their goals, take the challenge and aspire to them. It will be very difficult next year for the entire school community to go about its business, knowing that a man who has made such an impact on the school will not be there.

FRIEND AND INSPIRATION

"Mr. Booth has been an integral part of the school for many years, and will be very difficult to replace."
Mr. Quill, Principal

"He has always been a wonderful person to associate with. He is not only a great colleague, but a supportive friend, not to mention an encyclopedia of the history of the school."
Ms. Irvine, Deputy Principal

"Mr. Booth is flexible enough to cater for all students. A lesson in his class is never boring."
Salman, Year 12, School Captain

"A man of dedication, commitment, knowledge, and experience. His train stories will be dearly missed."
Andrew, Year 12, Vice Captain

"What a wonderful person to be taught by, both in and outside the classroom."
James, Year 12, Senior Prefect

"We will be saying farewell to one of the most experienced teachers at the school."
Justin, Year 12, Editor of "Fred"

"A man of integrity. Genuinely cares and is concerned about the welfare of others."
James, Year 12, Vice President of Interact

"Truly inspiring, and always willing to encourage and challenge students to achieve better things."
Nick, Year 12, Treasurer of the SRC

"A very important part of the school community."
Mrs. Collins, Clerical Assistant

"A teacher whose contribution to the ethos of the school will remain for many years to come."
Mrs. Stanford, Laboratory Assistant

"Sydney Tech's encyclopedia of scientific knowledge."
Mrs. Carrington, Science Teacher

"A great influence on thousands of students over the years."
Mr. Short, History Teacher

"Always very appreciative of anything anyone does for the school, and always personally thanks you for their effort."
Ms. Peric, English Teacher

MR BOOTH'S VIEWS - THROUGHOUT THE YEARS

Most Memorable Times

* Annual Prefects Investiture - students so proud and committed to the good name of the school
* Student response to the Hill End excursion run annually during the 1960s and 1970s
* Class presenting me with a cake having 50 lighted candles. I will never forget the warmth, it was just incredible
* Countless "incidents" in my home room - room 2

Changes for the School

* The 80 minute periods are too long - even university lectures run only for one hour!
* Reduce the amount of assessing, thereby overcoming the strangle-hold it has on the school
* Seek more autonomy for subject departments

Tech- Always a Great Place for Learning

* It has been always good mainly because of the number of self-motivated students and dedicated staff. Academic success is a virtue at Tech and results from a good partnership being formed between teachers and students.

Alternative Professions

* Teaching was a good job in the 1950s when I made my career decision. Furthermore, a training scholarship with a living allowance was a good inducement. Teachers, then, held more respect and authority in the community. Teaching is nowhere as attractive now.
* At Tech, your efforts produce a positive response. Tech students are not shy to tell you if you are good or you are not.
* In 1961, it was the right decision. Today, I would have sought different employment, perhaps ,for example, an Instrument maker.

Extra Effort for the Students

* I have never minded doing something extra for my classes. However, more laborious procedures for assessing, reporting, and discipline consume too much time without any extra benefit.

Encouraging the Study of Science

* Ensuring there is a good balance between theory and practical application. Care needs to be taken not to trivialise or falsely popularise science.

Sad to Leave?

* No.
* I have too many fond memories to be sad. I arrived at Tech in 1961 feeling proud and privileged. I will depart 39 years later feeling proud and privileged.
* I am quite looking forward to retirement so that I can do things in my own way, in my own time, and at my own pace.

Plans for Retirement

* Do some touring, especially along the byways of NSW. Some of the newly created national parks look inviting.
* Avail myself to the seniors' fare concession on public transport to visit institutions such as museums and scenic sights such as South Head and Barrenjoey.
* Devote some of my increased leisure time to restoring railway relics, which I have collected over the years.

Why a Love Of Railways?

* Now I could fill an edition of "Fred" answering that!

THE BOB BOOTH ARCHIVES ROOM

As a tribute, the School Executive recently decided to rename the School's archives room "The Bob Booth Archives Room".

Sydney Tech... Teachers and Memories A Personal Reminiscence by Bob Booth

If you think about the past certain memories come to the fore. If you want to connect to the past how can you?

I recently started a group on facebook for my graduating year. I would like to see the faces and names from the past, but not just my mates, but also those who influenced me from above.. the teachers. Two stand out - Mr Bob Booth physics and prefects master and Mr Peter Heath, the Paddle Pop lion. I use that nick name affectionately. He inspired a love of English in me.

I found something written by Bob on the STHS website, and I post it here for ease of finding and posterity.

A Personal Reminiscence by Bob Booth
(Science Teacher 1961 - 1969)
(Science Head Teacher 1970 - 1999)

A Teacher's Perspective

During my teacher training (Dip.Ed.) year I hoped that the greater part of my career would be presenting and explaining my subject and not one of having to enforce discipline for most of the time. This outlook was somewhat selfish and even unrealistic, but opportunity to find a school where quality teaching and learning were the established norm was soon to present itself.

I was sent to Sydney Technical High School for my final supervised practice teaching session in late 1960. It wasn’t long before I discovered that here was a place with a difference - professional and competent staff at ease with its work, and a student body having a quiet confidence, a good disposition and an understanding of the benefit of giving teachers a fair go. Of course, a teacher had to know his work and present it well. Add some involvement in student activities such as grade sport coaching and a teacher was well on the way to a satisfying career. I made a mental note of placing Sydney Tech at the top of the list of schools which in the future I would apply for as my seniority grew. In those days I would be waiting for 20 years at least. Imagine my feelings of surprise and privilege to be posted to Sydney Tech as my first appointment.

Up to the 1960s, students wanting to matriculate spent five years at high school culminating in the award of the Leaving Certificate. In senior years English, Maths 1 (algebra and calculus), Maths 2 (geometry ad trigonometry) and Physics were compulsory at Sydney Tech leaving students with two options to select. University matriculation required a language and here German was the most popular. Otherwise students chose mostly Chemistry and Technical Drawing. This limited subject choice was really a left-over from the days when the school was located at Albion Street Paddington and then truly Sydney Technical High School.

The moving of the school to its current site at Bexley in 1957 provided the growing St. George area with its first matriculation level boys' high school. Fortunately, the school's name was retained thus keeping alive the school’s history going back to 1911. As an aside, a recent suggestion to change the name of the school because it is no longer exclusively technical sent alarm bells ringing everywhere, such is the feeling and regard of its old boys. The idea of throwing away such a heritage asset was both sensibly and quickly abandoned.

A major revolution in New South Wales education commenced in 1962 with the introduction of the Wyndham Scheme leading to the Higher School Certificate as we have today. A much broader curriculum resulted, although being a boys' high school in a working to middle class area means that senior subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Economics (and more recently Business Studies) are the most often selected at Sydney Tech, Engineering Science would be listed here but for artificial restrictions imposed by the Board of Studies.

A selective school with 88 years history builds up many achievements and traditions, especially academic and sporting. Grade sport still attracts 65% of the boys. Even though Rugby Union is no longer played (much to the chagrin of the old boys), the development of team spirit and playing by the rules, even if your opponents do not, is a time-honoured tradition at Tech no matter what the sporting code.

More recently the school’s participation and achievements in various state-wide and national subject competitions capitalises on the students' preparedness to compete for personal and school honour. A special highlight has been the selection of two of our boys to compete as members of the Australian team in the international Olympiads in Physics and Chemistry respectively.

A feature of the school not present in the days of old is the top class orchestral band. The band’s internal and public performances bring the highest praise and enhance the pride in the school.

One enduring tradition of the school is an effective and relevant Prefect team. On two occasions recently the Prefects have been asked officially to state their role in the school and have done so most convincingly. It is not surprising really that for every Prefect position there are five nominations.

If I might be allowed to drop my guard just briefly, I regard my association with the boys as Prefects Master as one of the pinnacles of my career. For it highlights the grandest feature of Sydney Tech. - an excellent relationship between the students and the staff, something I detected back in 1960 but which the writings show goes right back to 1911.

I have many happy and satisfying memories of the school. Somehow such memories always lead me to room 2, my home room for many years. As a room there is nothing much to distinguish it, but the digressions, the banter, the antics, the confidences, the politics, the humour and the goodwill not only lightened the routine of the job but enriched it as well.

The privilege to teach at Sydney Tech will always remain undiminished.

Poetry Critical

http://www.poetrycritical.net

My favourites poems are:

Visit From a Dying Friend
what I meant when I said nothing
On "Having a Coke With You"

Thieving Secret Santa

AKA White Elephant Gift Exchange

Traditionally, a "White Elephant" is something lying around the house that you don't want (some horridly ugly item that someone gave you as a gift or some other item unwanted for some reason). I am of the belief that in most parts of the country, if you tell someone to bring a White Elephant gift it will almost certainly be a gag gift and not something genuinely useful or desirable.

The type of gift exchange that you have described, I have always heard referred to as a "Yankee Swap".

THE GIFTS:

1. This party's gift theme is XYZ.
2. The gift should be valued as close to $xx.00 as is reasonable.
3. The gift should be something someone would actually want or use. It should be in new or good condition.
4. The gift should be wrapped or in an envelope before arriving to the party. Gift bags are OK only if a wrapped item is inside.
5. Gift certificates are OK only if it is accompanied by some other item as part of the gift. For instance, a $xx Starbucks gift certificate, by itself, is not OK, but a $yy Starbucks gift certificate together with a coffee mug is OK.
6. As guests arrive to the party, the gifts should be placed in an area where few people can see who brought which gift. All efforts should be made to hide who brought which gift.

THE GAME:

1. Each guest who wishes to participate must contribute a gift. Everyone sits or stands in roughly a circle around the pile of gifts.
2. Prepare slips of paper equal to the number of gifts with clearly written numbers. Be sure to distinguish 6 from 9, 1 from 7. Each participating guest draws a number and holds onto that slip of paper.
3. On the first turn, the guest with paper slip #1 chooses a gift, opens it, and all admire it.
4. On the second turn, the guest with paper slip #2 gets the choice of "stealing" any unwrapped gift (#1's) or choosing a wrapped one. If #2 steals #1's gift, then #1 must open a wrapped gift.
5. On the third turn, the guest with paper slip #3 gets the choice of "stealing" any unwrapped gift (#1's or #2's) or choosing a wrapped one.

The game continues based on the following:

1. If a gift is stolen from you, you can steal a gift (within limits, described below), or open a wrapped one.
2. The turn proceeds until a wrapped gift is chosen.
3. A gift cannot be immediately stolen back from the guest who just stole it.
4. The fourth "owner" of a gift gets to keep it. The gift is "dead" after it has been stolen three times.
5. "Owners" of "live" gifts must keep them visible and hold them up when requested.
6. The gift exchange ends when the last wrapped gift is opened. Usually, guests are encouraged to perpetuate the gift stealing as long as there are "live" gifts, but no one is obligated to do this.

Have a master plan.

Successful moneymakers may not have every detail of their future mapped out, but they do have some sense in their minds of the steps they’re going to take in life. Somewhere, they’re programming.

Here’s an example: Scientists surveyed the Yale class of 1953, and found that 3 percent had written down financial goals for their futures at their college graduation. When the group reconvened in 1973, this 3 percent of the class that had started their careers with some kind of plan controlled more combined net worth than the other 97 percent combined.

Chesterton for today - “Back in the primal darkness”

Humility is the thing which is for ever renewing the earth and the stars. It is humility, and not duty, which preserves the stars from wrong, from the unpardonable wrong of casual resignation; it is through humility that the most ancient heavens for us are fresh and strong. The curse that came before history has laid on us all a tendency to be weary of wonders. If we saw the sun for the first time it would be the most fearful and beautiful of meteors. Now that we see it for the hundredth time we call it, in the hideous and blasphemous phrase of Wordsworth, “the light of common day.” We are inclined to increase our claims. We are inclined to demand six suns, to demand a blue sun, to demand a green sun. Humility is perpetually putting us back in the primal darkness. There all light is lightning, startling and instantaneous… To the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sun is really a sun; to the humble man, and to the humble man alone, the sea is really a sea. When he looks at all the faces in the street, he does not only realize that men are alive, he realizes with a dramatic pleasure that they are not dead.

- Heretics (1905).

MoDictionary

The MO-xford Dictionary
of the MOVEMBER MOcabulary
from http://movember.org/MOxford_dictionary.html

The most benelovent Movember Committee has provided you with a glossary to allow you freedom of speech:

AlaMO: the mo that will always be remembered

AtMOsphere: Earth's gaseous outer - in which moustaches are known to reside (average altitude 150cm).

Good KarMO: having many moustaches in past lives, and being rewarded with a fulfilling mo in this life

ELMO: a small, furry, sickenly cute mo

GizMO: any gadget designed to technologically enhance a moustache's splendour

International MOnetary Fund: an organisation devoted to monitoring world-wide moustache trends

MObile: a mo that 'gets around'

MOcha: a brown Mo

MOdem: what you use to log on to moustache sites on the Net

MOi: I am a frenchman's moustache

MOlest: to harrass people at the pub about Movember

MOlotov Cocktail: a flaming drink that sets fire to your mo (recipe)

MOmentous: a mo of great importance

MOmentum: a mo that cannot be stopped once it has started

MOnarch: a moustache that rules the rest of the face

MOnitor: a person who continually looks at the growth of his mo

MOnoceros: a mythical horse-like creature with a single protuberance from its upper lip

MOnogamous: no-one but your wife likes your moustache

MOnokini: a scanty 1-piece beach garment (equivalent to the bottom of a bikini), worn to conceal a mo

MOnopoly: exclusive possession of the right to grow a moustache in Movember

MOnotonous: when all moustaches start to look the same

MOnth: how long we give you to grow a mo in Movember

MOpe: to sulk about not having a moustache

MOsaic: a moustache made up of hairs of different colours.

MOsey: a mo that shuffles leisurely about the face

MOss: nature's way of growing a moustache

MOtionless: when someone talks with a mo, the lips are moving, but the mo remains perfectly still

MOther: your mother has a big moustache

MOurn: lament for a shaved moutache

MOuth: what you wear under your moustache

MOw: to trim one's mo

ParaMOid: the irrational fear that people are out to get your moustache

Chesterton for November 4th from Chesterton Day By Day

NOVEMBER 4th

THE modern philosopher had told me again and again that I was in the right place, and I had still felt depressed even in acquiescence. But I had heard that I was in the wrong place, and my soul sang for joy, like a bird in spring. The knowledge found out and illuminated forgotten chambers in the dark house of infancy. I knew now why grass had always seemed to me as queer as the green beard of a giant, and why I could feel homesick at home.

'Orthodoxy.'

from
http://www.cse.dmu.ac.uk/~mward/gkc/books/gkcday/gkcday11.html

Belle de Jour?

From ZENIT

Prostitution: Legal Work or Slavery?A Failed Attempt at Defending Women’s Dignity

By Father John Flynn, L.C.

ROME, OCT. 15, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Legalizing prostitution is under debate in a number of countries.

Hungary recently decided to legalize it, apparently in part due to the government’s desires to exact revenue from an activity they calculate could generate around $1 billion a year, reported the Associated Press, Sept. 24.

Bulgaria, however, took a step in the opposite direction, reversing a plan to legalize prostitution, according to the New York Times, Oct. 6.

“We should be very definite in saying that selling flesh is a crime,” Rumen Petkov, the interior minister, said during a recent forum on human trafficking, the article reported. The New York Times also commented that last year, Finland made it illegal to buy sex from women brought in by traffickers, while Norway is reportedly planning on imposing a complete ban on purchasing sex.

Italy, meanwhile, is considering how to deal with the widespread practice of street prostitution. Interior Minister Giuliano Amato said the government was thinking about measures such as fining clients, reported the Italian daily Avvenire, Sept. 26.

Prostitution is also under debate in Britain, where a new television series, “Belle de Jour,” presents a glamorized view of the sex industry -- a portrayal strongly criticized by Emine Saner in an article published Sept. 20 in the Guardian newspaper.

“Of the estimated 80,000 women who are sex workers in the U.K., the vast majority do it because they have drug problems or families to support and have no other viable way of making money,” Saner commented.

Moreover, she argued that two-thirds of sex workers have experienced violence, including rape. Government data also reveal that at least 60 sex workers have been murdered in the past 10 years.

Guardian commentator Madelaine Bunting returned to the debate with an article published Oct. 8. Around 90% of prostitutes want to leave their activity, she said. At a time when sex trafficking is booming as one of the most lucrative forms of organized crime, we don’t need a fairytale story about prostitution, argued Bunting.

Victorian failure

Countries debating whether or not to legalize prostitution could learn from what occurred in the Australian state of Victoria. The state government legalized prostitution in 1984 and since then, the sex industry has flourished. With over 20 years of experience, many of the promised benefits of legalizing prostitution have not, however, materialized, according to a book published earlier this year.

A detailed examination of the situation in Victoria was authored by self-declared “feminist activist” Mary Lucille Sullivan, in her book “Making Sex Work: A Failed Experiment With Legalised Prostitution,” (Spinifex Press).

“Victoria’s legalized prostitution system assists in maintaining male dominance, the sexual objectification of women, and the cultural approval of violence against women,” is her thesis.

Normalizing prostitution, as if it were merely some kind of employment, has also undermined women’s workplace equality and contradicts other government policies aimed at protecting women’s rights, accused Sullivan.

Too often, she added, the pressures today to treat prostitution as just another job stem from a neo-liberal vision of the free market, which sees women and girls as a commodity. Some feminists who supported the legalization of prostitution, Sullivan continues, were also influenced by a libertarian outlook and a misplaced desire to establish the “rights” of prostitutes. For its part, the state saw economic advantages in legalization, since it could tax a heretofore underground and illegal activity.

Legalization in Victoria, Sullivan explained, was also defended under the guise of minimizing the harm to the women involved, by bringing about formal regulation and legal protections in the sex industry.

Intrinsic violence

This has not occurred, she affirmed, because attempting to portray prostitution as an occupation to be put under the control of health and safety norms ignores the intrinsic violence of prostitution and the fact that sexual harassment and rape are indistinguishable from the product clients buy.

Moreover, legalization itself has introduced a new series of damaging consequences for women, Sullivan argues. Among these is, ironically, a further expansion of the illegal side of prostitution. In fact, the phenomenon of curbside prostitution, far from disappearing with legalization, has continued to grow in Victoria.

Likewise, legalization, far from removing the influence of organized crime, has instead fueled the role of illegality by introducing greater economic incentives for trafficking in women and girls for both legal and illegal brothels. Sullivan also quoted experts in organized crime who allege that the legalized prostitution industry in Victoria still has strong links to underground criminality.

With regard to this human trafficking, Sullivan draws attention to international studies that put at billions the profits made from this modern form slavery. Estimates of the numbers of women and girls who are trafficked range from 700,000 to 2 million each year.

The legalization of prostitution in Victoria has not done anything to reduce illegal sex trafficking, Sullivan argues. In addition, since legalization, child prostitution continues to be a problem.

Billion-dollar industry

We are now in a situation, Sullivan pointed out, where the media, airlines, hotels, the tourist industry and banks all seek to promote and expand the industry of prostitution. In addition, legalization has brought an encroachment of prostitution in public life.

According to data cited in the book, by 1999, annual turnover in Victoria’s prostitution industry reached $360 million (Australian), which at the current exchange rate would be US $323.3 million . Overall in Australia, 3 states and one territory have legalized prostitution. A business information service cited by Sullivan put at $1.780 million (Australian) the turnover in the financial year 2004-05.

Instead of legalization, Sullivan recommended following the example of Sweden, where the law criminalizes the buying of sexual services and does not penalize the women and children. Sweden also helps women who have suffered violence as a result of prostitution.

Legalization of prostitution, Sullivian concluded, makes a fundamental mistake as it enshrines as a man’s “right” the ability to buy women and girls for sexual gratification. Once this is done, it becomes much more difficult to control the industry or prevent the exploitation of women.

Slavery

“Prostitution is a form of modern slavery,” commented a recent document of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants, issued June 16. The publication, “Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road,” attracted media attention due to its ten commandments for drivers, but its content also includes a section on street prostitution. (Nos. 85-115)

“The sexual exploitation of women is clearly a consequence of various unjust systems,” commented the Pontifical Council. Causes such as a need for money, the use of violence, and human trafficking contribute to trap women into prostitution.

“The victims of prostitution are human beings, who in many cases cry out for help, to be freed from slavery, because selling one’s own body on the street is usually not what they would voluntarily choose to do,” the document added.

The council called for greater efforts to help free women from the abuses against human dignity that result from prostitution. Catholic institutions, the declaration added, have often helped women to escape from this situation. Women need to be aided so that they can regain their esteem and self-respect, and to be reintegrated into family and community life.

“Customers,” on the other hand, “need enlightenment regarding the respect and dignity of women, interpersonal values and the whole sphere of relationships and sexuality,” the document said. The exploiters also need to be enlightened regarding the hierarchy of the values of life and human rights, it recommended.

“Committing oneself at various levels -- local, national and international -- for the liberation of prostitutes is therefore a true act of a disciple of Jesus Christ, an expression of authentic Christian love,” the council concluded. Surely a far better answer than legalizing what is nothing more than sexual slavery.

Free English - French - English dictionary

Found this free english french dictionary the other day..

Comfortable Virtues, Easy reading A snippet

Aquinas defined ‘virtue’ as a habit “by which we live righteously, of which no one can make bad use, which God works in us, without us."

A virtue is a good habit.

But what I find reassuring about Aquinas's definition is the little phrase - of which no one can make bad use... That is, when you are acting from virtue, you cannot do a bad act. To act with a virtue is to always do something good. I think this relates to Moral virtues, but am not sure how it relates to intellectual virtues... eg if you have the virtue of surgery, and you perform a marvellous piece of surgical work, but you deliberately kill the patient, then it is a good act of surgery and you have used the virtue of surgery, but clearly morally a bad act.

We are what we repeatedly do...

"We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit"

Aristotle