I participated in a Greenpeace action yesterday, where a ship was painted with "Australia Pushing Export Coal"

The police took my overalls..... And conducted forensic tests on my hands (8 hours and 5 toilet trips after the fact?).

WTF?

I have never had anything like this happen on an action before, wryly amused and mostly bemused.

This is an experiment. thus I accept no responsibility if it all goes horribly pear shaped!

What I did was to abuse my body so hard I spent Saturday complaining, much to the delight of darling friends who spent the day with me. Hangovers and I are seldom seen out together, it does not work for either of us, especially our image, and frankly we just don't get along. Saturday was the exception that proved the rule. Not only did we hang out ('scuse the pun) we went to the bathroom together, had coffee, searched for the miracle cure and even had dinner together. 

I have some weird hemorrhage thing on my right elbow, which look suspiciously like I have developed an intravenous drug habit, I haven't. I asked my friends just in case I had started on the vein and couldn't remember, there is a 99% certainty that I am still needle free. So the only logical solution is that I was kidnapped by aliens and I was too drunk to remember and/or wake up!

I saw the Simpsons movie (whilst [see dictionary facists it a perfectly valid used and needed word! Give it back!] still hungover). Loved it! It was fantastic! 

I played some cards and some Scrabble and enjoyed the sunshine! Delightful. All in all I got to see some dear and wonderful people!

I found myself thinking about someone in a whole new light that I find kind of disturbing. I think the best way to deal with these new emotions is to ignore them! To indulge in them would lead to unnecessary heartbreak and pain. Some things just aint worth the risk. 

I also probed the spot that had been raw and exposed strip of my soul for a while and it appears to be scabbing over, take that stupid man! You can never break my heart completely, far worthier men then you have failed, you never stood a chance. It still hurts but the wound is healing, more slowly then my head injury, but healing nonetheless.

Desperately seeking the sun to my earth the earth to my moon, the ying to my yang, the ding to my dong. I'd like to meet you soon. Before I do something stupid, but after I've finished learning how to treat my loved ones properly. I'll do you a deal, I'll become a better, nicer person, I'll learn to be good to people and you think about finding me ok? I can travel, am willing to go to the ends of the earth, if that is how it needs to be. Just please don;t leave it too long, I am getting really lonely and  a little bit broken.

Actually maybe it is better if you just stay away, as I would probably just ruin it anyway..... And I don't think I will ever risk my tender little ego again. 

Sorry, let me get back to you on this one, it appears my thoughts on this are some kind of circular paradigm. ALhtough I ma not sure this will ever change? I wonder if I will get the chance to find out?

Two posts in a day? You know something has made me think. I have just read a Crikey (find it here http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20070807-Well-you-aint-seen-nothin-yet.html sorry the hyper links on this site never work) article about APEC. I have been thinking many outraged things but this pushed me into the world of public ranting.

Where do you begin when security measures include; Tasers instead of capsicum spray, jets, random searches, new police powers, black hawk helicopters and a 2.8m high fence around the city... Are they serious? Some of the videos to help prepare police for violent protesters are taken from Maritime Workers protests, WTF? I would love to see their definition of a violent protester??? One who is there?

I would dearly love to protest non-violently and bear witness to this gathering, but I won't. I cannot be seen in the media as a protester, and I have no desire to put myself in a potentially lethal situation, you gotta choose your battles.

There is so much more I need to say about this event, these security measures, my personal decision to not protest (as anyone who knows me will see, this is far away from my normal actions), but I need to get it clear in my head. Watch this space, long ranting and general sweeping statements coupled with strange philosophies and paradigms from an alarmed activist coming soon.

I have recently begun using a name brand shampoo and conditioner to control a hideous outbreak of dandruff that has left me shedding kilos of skin from my head, eww. I noticed after a couple of uses that my hair is not quite the same colour it once was. Now after 2 weeks of use my hair has gone yellow. No not blonde, yellow, I am starting to resemble a cartoon character. 

Sure enough when I read the bottle in the shower this morning; 'may cause temporary hair discolouration in people with dyed or blonde hair'. I am no stranger to this phenomenon. My hair has gone bright green from chlorine exposure, red from rust in the pipes, blue from the use of cheap hair products and grey from an unfortunate incident involving "temporary" spray on hair colour. This, however, is the worst! I can handle a little colour and mystery, but this shampoo is tar based, thats right folks I am starting to resemble a tar stained, nicotine exposed, RSL ceiling. 

So now I have to decide which is worse; looking like the inside of a pack a day lung? or showering everyone in 10 metre radius with dead skin cells from my scalp? I think I will switch brands and see what the results are, but based on previous experience I may have to go back on the tar, the others just aren't effective.

Ah the curses of having extremely blonde hair... I know I am lucky to have it, people spend hundreds of dollars dying their hair to look like mine, women would commit crimes to have this colour tra la la la, but you don't see brunettes walking around with ciggy head or Kermit hair, recessive gene? excessively whimpy I say! It may be culturally desirable, but it is impractical and annoying for someone who ranks low on the personal maintenance and commitment to beauty scale.

Any suggestions of cures/alternatives gratefully received.

So I return once more from Hobbit Hole to The Emerald City. Overjoyed as always to come back to warm weather, a bustling metropolis and a soulful city of action. The Emerald City is big and busy and not very friendly compared to its friend in the Territory, but damn does it have heart!

There is a certain physical, mental, emotional wrongness that comes from traveling for work. It is its own special brand of discomfort and insanity associated with working long hard hours, bad sleep, too much coffee, not enough water, dodgy food and constantly watching what you say.

Getting home and falling into my own bed with no fear of strange noises waking me, assured of a hot shower in the morning and no heating system to roast me slowly in the wee hours of the morning was bliss.

I do return to a house situation that is stressful, the wrath of a close relative and the nastiness associated with fighting with your housemates. The wrath is the one that is killing me, not only do I feel I have done nothing to deserve this anger, I feel I am the wronged party, and thus have no desire to be affected by the taunts or bitchiness that are left as bait in my inbox, under my door on my phone. I do not want to have a fight, as I feel I have nothing to say beyond: "Why the fuck are you angry with me, when you are the one who has behaved in a way that makes my life an even less fun place to be?" I have a feeling that will not help and will only give further ammunition to a grievance born of fantasy and guilt.

Anyway enough obtuse hurt mutterings about a situation out of my control and understanding that I refuse to explain in detail.

I am bringing back wit... and ego. Here are some brilliant things I have said recently;

"Nihilism? Means nothing to me."

"He is so far in the closet he's in Narnia."

"I am not bitter; I am just a little tart." Yeah this one is from years ago, but goddamn I love it!

Yes it seems that being a razor sharp source of belittlement is one of my few un-usable talents. Awesome, I should start a t-shirt company.

Meanwhile as per fucking usual, my life sucks, Work is out of control and I may have to move out on Thursday, that is 2 days away. I saw my Scottish friend last night and she shared some information with me about a recent dalliance I had that ended badly. I was crushed like a bug, maybe I should not have tried to find out what was said about me...... I should have realised that it was not going to be something I wanted to hear. I really am not very clever and I don't appear to learn.

OVER IT! 

Why I decided to not drink for a month is beyond me.... 23 days dry and counting. Seems kind of pointless, and I can't really understand why I am doing it? I think the main reason is to prove a point and try not to be the shallow, bitter alcoholic people see me as.

This came through my email inbox, I think? It came from wherever the people who exist to torture those of us stupid enough to engage in today's fast paced cyber lifestyle live. I think it is somewhere in America.

Rule #1:
If you open this you GOTTA take it. Bollocks, I don't have to, I am choosing to.

Rule # 2:
You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone
messages you and asks .. dont care.=] Neither do I, so I will now explain every answer I give, just to be contrary

Rule #3:
Only answer True or False or in Poem form

Q: Kissed someone on your top friends --> Define Top Friends? I have kissed so many of my friends, so lets just assume yes shall we? Here is my poem

I will kiss

all on the list

They wish

Q: Kissed someone you didn't like? --> False, I like everybody, especially if they are prepared to kiss me. And now I am too derpressed to write poems.

Q: You like someone? --> True. which just makes me a sad sad loser, cos noone like me : ( Thanks for bringing up such a painful subject

Q: Held a snake? --> True, I want to keep snakes as pets when I stop fleeing the country as often as possible, or do something dumb like breed so I have to stay in one place for ages

Q: Been suspended from school? --> False, but only because I agreed to leave the school and find somewhere more tolerant.

Q: Been fired from a job? --> True, technically, but it is a long story.

Q: Sang karaoke? -->True, are there people out there who are so "cool" the have avoided this?

Q: Laughed until you started crying? --> True, I like to do this at least bi-monthly

Q: Caught a snowflake on your tongue? -->False, I live in Australia, the only weather you can catch on your tongue here is hail and that hurts (yes I am aware that parts of Austrlia snow, but it is pretty lame and I have not french kissed a sonwflake)

Q: Kissed in the rain? --> True, it leads to soggy clothing

Q: Sang in the shower? --> True, der, I sang walking to Paul's party on Saturday, it was a lovely ditty about sensor lights and walking with Jason to a party

Q: Sat on a roof top? --> True, so many times, looking at Bondi Beach was one of the best roof I have sat on!

Q: Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? --> False, unbelievably I have not, have I pushed someone into a pool with their clothes on? yes. Have I been pushed into a river, a bay, an ocean and a spa with my clothes on? F*CK Yeah

Q: Broken a bone? -->True, My GOD! I have broken 5 bones in my right foot, in 3 seperate incidents, everybody knows about me and my foot! Everybody knows about me and my injuries full stop

Q: Shaved your head? -->False, but there are plans afoot to raise money by auctioning off the chance to shave or save my hair, we shall see if people are keener to see me bald or keep "the hair"

Q: Played a prank on someone? --> True, that is just a lame lame question.

Q: Shot a gun? --> Hmm, like a real one? I am a hippy.... Only computer games have provided me with this chance.

Q: Donated Blood? --> True in 3 countries!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Who was your last?"
just be 100% truthful
LAST PERSON.

1. last person you hung out with? Jason, but he does not count cos we live so close and he is like my housemate, so... Paul, Jon, Mana, Zen and Jubb

2. last person you texted? I think my sister? I locked myself out.... and she is my housemate. Oh no, wait, there were other text messages exchanged yesterday, but no idea why or to whom.

3. You were in a car with? Fanta Pants, Jessicat, Jason and Sonnah

4. To the movies with? Jon, Jubb and Jay to see the appallingly bad... erm? shit ? Fantastic Three? Can't remember, but I heckled it, a lot.

5. Went to the mall with? Are you trying to make me angry? Jeebus, I do not go to the Mall, I live in a world where going to the mall is as appealing as eating parts of your own anatomy, while they are still attached.

6. You talked to on the phone? Anna, but while writing this Erin called me! Anna and Erin love each other, what a lovely little coincidence.

7. Made you laugh? Me?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WOULD YOU RATHER...

2. Be serious or be funny? Seriously funny

3. Drink whole or skim milk? I think the fact that it is called whole speaks for itself, why take bits out? Clearly nature fu*ked the recipe up? No wait we are not meant ot suck cow tits! Goddam cheese it would make me so much less sanctimonious if I could give up cheese.... Um sorry, I don't believe in lite, skim, low fat or any of that other shit.

4. Die in a fire or get shot? Fuck off... I seriously do not need to think about this.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY...

1. Sun or moon? For what? For tanning: the sun. for howling at: the moon.

2. Winter or Fall? Winter, Der. Falling sucks! I am yet to find an enjoyable way to spend an unexpected trip to the ground. Being cold is not as bad as tripping over.

3. Left or right?Left wing poiltics is right.

4. Sunny or rainy? Once again WTF? Rainy for staying in bed and watching movies with a huge doobie. Sunny for going to the beach with a huge doobie.

5. Do you want to get married? Whose asking?

6. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut It? Who cuts spaghetti? Better not do that if I cook or I will laugh at them.

7. Do You Cook? Extremely well, better then you question.

8. Current mood? Bitter.

---------------------------------------------------

IN THE LAST 72 HOURS HAVE YOU...

1.Kissed Someone? No. Nobody wants to kiss me : (

2. Sang? Yes, of course

3. Been hugged? yes, by many people, one of them was very awkward

4. Did something embarrassing? Chances are good, oh last 72 hours? Definitely. Actually writing this thing is more then a little embarassing.

5. Like someone you can't have? Yes, can't have anyone ergo all liking leads to disappointment and unreciprocated affection

Repost this as, "Who was your last? NO

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<strong>You Are 89% Non Conformist</strong>
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<center><img src="http://images.blogthings.com/areyouanonconformistquiz/nc-5.jpg" height="100" width="100"></center>
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You're incredibly strange. And a weirdness like yours takes skill to cultivate!<br />
No one really understands you. And you're cool with that. You just hope you never have to understand them!
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<div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/areyouanonconformistquiz/">Are You a Nonconformist?</a></div>

Now that Max is entering a period of sobriety and quiet calm it has become increasingly important that she take advantage of her downtime to acheive things. This weekend just passed she has failed to take hold of free time and ride it for all it is worth and now she is discontented and unmotivated.

Friday night she stayed sober, spent seven hours and fourty five minutes in one drinking establishment and not even a drop of ale passed her lips. Stayed out until 4am with a bunch of drunken (also based up to the eyeballs) friends and not a drink for her.

Because of the lateness of Friday, Saturday was spent sleeping, comfortably and happily until 2pm, followed by an extremely large breakfast. Max realises that the whole point of this entry is that her weekend was boring as all hell and perhaps repeating it in minuate detail could be even more boring. Thus to summarise; lots of things were cleaned, weed smoked, and there was an outing to Bankstown to celebrate the birth of three of her relatives, nothing acheived and levels of dissatisfaction with life were amplified again.

Max having recently joined the brigade of the self righteous non-drinkers is disturbed to discover many things;

The first is that she is uncomfortable talking about herself in the third person, easy to change.

The second is what people think of me, oh dear. I have sobered up not a moment too soon. Apparently I am viewed as a bitter alcoholic with a substance abuse problem. I kind of hoped there was more to me then that? Surrounded by party people, I did not realise that I stood out as a beacon and catalyst for drug abuse. People take my announcement of a month of sobriety and a reticence to take any drugs (mostly there are a couple of exceptions, but they ain't exactly every weekend kind of deals) in horror, the disbelief scares me. Surely people don't think that if I change my consumption habits I will cease to be me? Surely there is more to me then that?

Thirdly free time should be cherished. Weekends should be productive and filled with activities that make me feel good, sleeping all day does not count. I should be writing a novel, doing a course, I don't know, shit take up crochet? All of those things I have wanted to do for ever but never had time for.... Art classes, amateur theatre, music lessons, dancing, croquet, tennis, hack, poi, frisbee, hula-hoop, making movies, walking by the sea, photography, yoga, swimming, projects, diving, charity work, volunteering, cooking, wine tasting classes, learning a language and so many other things.

Let the newness wash over me and take me away on a sea of contentment. A chapter starts; each page fresh and new, filled with inspiration and fun, a life lived to the full not squandered in a seedy bar. We can all have dreams can't we? I don't want to be a different person, just happier. Maybe not being me is the place to start.