The Banal Chew

Cover Me, I'm Going In

As I await the text msg from my friends that they are on their way to meet up and go en masse to the 2007 Sleaze Ball, I thought I would take the opportunity to listen to some tunes and compose an overdue post. 

I'm vastly excited about tonight's event.  I won't go on about how I've put on a kilo and sport a couple of tidy lovehandles, or that all my jeans are old, or speaking of that, that I'm too old for that.  Oops. I think I just did. Don't you despise them when people do that? In the words of Deputy Raineesha, "Don't hate on me!"

Anyway, it's a different vibe this year, as a few key people aren't going.  But then, I'll still have some fun.  Sydney is great.  I like that a 40-something y/o man can get gussied up and engage in a triannual party experience and not feel judged...by anyone.  'Cept for those of you who are doing it right now.  [wink]

Hope your weekends are chipper!

Cogitation Tuesday

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's "firebrand president", doesn't think there are any homosexuals in Iran.  Phooey. 

Here are some links that allude otherwise.

Iran Queer Organization website

LGBT Rights in Iran (Wikipedia)

Persecution of gays/lesbians in Iran (Peter Atchell)

If they don't exist, then why are there so many arrests? (Human Rights Watch)

A lack of understanding

There are gays everywhere, even in zoos.  Those of us privileged enough to live in places that are more tolerant (albeit arguably) should thank our lucky stars that we can live our lives in much, much less fear than those living in repressive countries whose ideologies are fueled by some of the most frighteningly religious fundamentalism around. 

At least we can talk about hate crimes legislation with those sympathetic to the issue.  Where are the sympathizers in Iran?  There must be some.  But then, I suppose they are cowering in their homes, turning a blind eye, and praying that the nice fella next door doesn't scream too loudly when the lashings are given. 

Banalité du jour

I've been fighting off a chest cold the past week, even skipping a cool party on Saturday night to stay at home, sip herbal tea and breath steam.  Zane has been very sick with a bad cough, so I knew it was only a matter of time.  This Saturday is Zirkus!, the Sydney Mardi Gras organization's annual Sleaze Ball.  I already have my ticket.  I can't won't get sick.

On top of the chesty cough, I think I bruised my eardrum last night.  I had been resting my head on Mark's upper arm and didn't realize a vacuum had been created within my ear canal.  When I lifted my head, it was like someone took a rubber plunger to the side of my head. Pop! During my sleep, I woke up now and again with some dull pain in my ear.  Today, my hearing is a little deadened in that ear, but there's not much pain.  I should probably go have the doctor peer in and see what I've done.  Sigh.  Cough.

Fate is conspiring to keep me from getting my sleaze on!

Flashforward Friday

I have been preparing many job applications over the past week.  It's that time of year when the world falls in love...er, excuse me (it's an occupational hazard of being a former singer...there's always a song in one's head).  Anyway, it's that time of year when most academic positions at American universities are announced.  This seems to be an okay year, opportunity-wise, so I'm busy as a bee writing cover letters, putting together demo CDs and DVDs, ordering transcripts, requesting letters of recommendation, and spending hard-earned dollars on the printing, binding and mailing of application packets.  With any luck, I will get some interviews.

I am ready to begin working earnestly in my field again, and having permanent residency now means I could ostensibly split my time between the two hemispheres.  It wouldn't be an even split, but as there's nothing substantial at all in Australia for me job-wise (unless I change careers completely...a daunting prospect for someone who can see the light of 45 on the horizon), I have no alternative than to run for the gold in them thar' hills.  Four months in Australia with professional fulfillment and a decent income is better than twelve months here sitting in this townhouse, eking out a living by working part-time over the Internet in a field completely unrelated to my education and training.

During this process of job hunting, I have naturally begun to daydream about where I might end up teaching and living.  Currently, there are jobs open in areas of the US that I wouldn't mind checking out, eg, Chicago, Minneapolis, Pacific NW, and Southern California.  There are also openings in central Missouri, Alabama, and North Carolina. 

I grew up in Arkansas, so it's not like I have never lived in less-populated areas.  I do worry, however, about the culture shock of moving from Sydney to the middle of the US and living in a town of about 30K people, miles and miles from any larger city.  I try to take comfort in knowing that there's probably a regional airport within reach of most any city where there's a college or university. 

I wonder if the fulfillment I would (hopefully) get from my work would be enough to quell the distress of being removed from my family and friends, and from the way of life to which I have grown accustomed over the past few years.  It would no doubt be tremendously challenging, but after putting in so much work for the doctorate and the credentials it affords, it seems silly not to go for the jobs and at least give it a try. 

So, I wonder what it will be...

Midwest Sandy

California Sandy

Country Sandy

Urban Sandy

[too scary to post]
Southern Sandy

Or shall I remain...

Sydney Sandy?

Time will tell...

Affable YouTube Monday

Someone tickle my funny bone, please.

Phonerotic!

CYE clip

One of my favorite Dot sketches

Six Men, a Mixed Grill and Some Hairspray

Last night, after shipping Zaney off to a school-buddy's house for a birthday sleepover, I had one of the best movie nights ever.  Dean, Luke, Rio and Will came over for a barbeque, and then we all rushed off to catch Hairspray. 

First of all, what a great show this film is!  For the first time in ages, my expectations were exceeded.  Take a work from cult movie to Broadway musical to mainstream "movical", and you can imagine the recipe for potent disaster.  Add to that the drama surrounding the proposed boycott of the movie by homosessuals, concisely discussed by Joe a few months ago, and my trepidation increased.  Boy was I ever surprised. 

Although I really couldn't stand John Travolta's portrayal of Mrs. Turnblad in the opening minutes of her first scene [sidebar: is it just me, or does anyone else think he sounds disturbingly like the late Charles Pierce as Carol Channing?], he grew on me enormously, and by the end of the movie I found Edna incredibly charming.  Sure, I miss the macabre grotesqueness that Divine brought to the original character, but this is a movie based on the musical, and I am willing to let go of those expectations.  At any rate, this is a movie that is pure fun, and of course the underlying message(s) will never lose its appeal. 

As for Queen Latifah, well, this woman makes me giddy with respect and devotion every time I see her, regardless what it is.  Her character and singing in this movie will make you want to slap your mama!

Oh, and Mark cooked up one fine mixed grill before the show, too.  Slurp.

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Oh, I forgot to mention:

My blogbud, Patrick, has shaken his moneymaker in a fun contest held by BrettCajun. 

Go thou here, see, and vote.  But hurry.

Schwimmbad? Why, yes I do.

Zane has been requesting to do more sports activities lately.  This is a very good thing, as we all need to stay fit.  Besides that, sports can be a rewarding experience for kids, as long as they stay aware of the fact that it isn't all about winning.   That said, I think a little competitive spirit is healthy, but Zane has a propensity to go somewhat overboard in that regard.  We all do, perhaps.  (I am sitting nervously in my little glass house right now, for lord knows I grew up trying for as many awards as possible.) 

Mark and I are very keen to get Zane active in sports again, now that he's performed a dazzling about-face from where he was a couple of years ago, when it was difficult to get him to do much of anything except throw some kind of ball.  You can imagine our delight when Zane told us a few days ago that he'd like to get involved in both competitive swimming and rugby or soccer. Because he travels to Canberra every second weekend to stay with his mum, it has been difficult to find a soccer club or other team sport for him to join, as they usually have games every weekend.  We have recently heard that there is an indoor soccer team with games and practice sessions on weekday evenings, so this might be a good option for ball sport.

This morning, we took Zane to a swimming assessment for the Sydney University Youth Swim Squad.  He did very well, and according to the swimming observer, after a few weeks of focused training to improve his breaststroke foot- and legwork, he'll be ready for the squad.   

I love watching Zane swim.  Mark, too, for that matter.  I envy their extreme comfort in the water.  For whatever reason, swimming was not a part of my childhood experience, although now I wish it had been.  My sister and I both grew up with aquaphobia.  Mine wasn't nearly as bad.  At least I would get in the neighborhood swimming hole to flop around.  My poor sister, however, would only cautiously wade out into the shallow areas and couldn't bear the water coming anywhere near her face.  I remember my dad once tried to help her overcome her fear of water by picking her up and launching her into the pool when she was around 11 years old.  My God, what a failure.  I'm pretty sure they could hear her angry screams in Sweden.  I have no idea what my sister is like in the water now, but she and her family are members of a boat club.  I think that means she at least floats on the surface.  As for me, I'm quite comfortable in swimming pools now.  I suck at swimming, but I can manage...somewhat.  Large bodies of water still freak me out, and I won't swim in the ocean.  Just a mere, fleeting thought of the dreaded "R" word, and I'm ready to get as far away from any liquid as I can. 

That's okay, though.  With my white, genetically hairless legs, I look like a dork in swimmers anyway.

Flashback Friday

On this day in 1789, the US government incurred its first debt, borrowing from the NYC Banks.  I'm no historian, but my guess is that the loan was taken because of the financial impact of the War of Independence. 

On this day in 2007, the US government owes approximately 9 trillion dollars of public debt.  That includes money owed to foreign entities, but it doesn't include Social Security.  Tack that on, and you get nearly $60 trillion.

Scary.

Marvelous Melbourne

I'm spoiled, I know.  Since my move to Australia in July 2005, I have made the journey from Sydney to Melbourne twice now.  Not only has the weather been sensational both times, but the friends with whom I've stayed there have lived in some pretty fab areas of the city. 

First there was Mark I., one of my dearest friends and housemate from Fulbright days in Amsterdam.  He lived in a warehousey apartment in the CBD.  Now, alas, he's working in Shanghai...good for him, bad for me.  I don't get to see him much these days.  Anyway, that was October 2005, and I fell in love with Melbourne.

Yesterday morning I returned from another trip to the former Australian capital city.  Alison and Ian were, as always, the best of hosts, offering not only the comfort of their house in Carlton, but also terrific food, wine and, of course, friendship. 

The contrast between Sydney and Melbourne is striking.  Many of us have heard the clichés:  "Melbourne = culture-central; Sydney = party-central", "In Melbourne, you get all four seasons in one day", "Sydneysiders prefer boardshorts, thongs (ie, flip-flops) and corner pubs, whereas Melburnians prefer skivvies (ie, mock turntlenecks), poetry and alley-way cafes".  All generalizations aside, the difference between these two largest Australian cities is so notable that it often feels as if you are in another country.

I won't go as far as to state a true preference, for that would be too difficult and unfair.  I adore Sydney and always will, but I would also like to give Melbourne a try.  Ever since I moved to Australia, everyone has told me that Melbourne is the place for me, as far as working in my field goes.  I am beginning to think they're right.  There definitely seems to be more going on in the arts there than here.  Aside from that, I simply feel more comfortable in Melbourne...in a holistic sense.  I'm an infrastructure kind of guy, and let's face it, Sydney could stand a lot of improvement in that regard.  Perhaps I am drawing an unfair comparison as someone who has a spoiled, semi-touristy view of what it's like to live in Melbourne, but with friends who have experienced both places enough to use what is, perhaps, better judgment on the issue, I feel confident in my opinion.  We shall see, but I am definitely retooling my daily job-search bulletins to focus on the Melbourne area as well.

At any rate, as promised to some who have been wondering if I've slipped from the earth's face, below are a few photos from our trip to show that we are all alive, well and overfed.

The Yarra River

Fun at Scienceworks

A view of Melbourne from the Rialto Towers observation deck. We also did The Edge at the new Eureka Tower, which you can see on the right.  In the rear of the photo is the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

My first AFL footy game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Zane and his spirit finger.  The Sydney Swans needed more than an inflatable finger to assist that night.  Collingwood trounced them.  Still, it was fun.

We all finished off our visit by doing some barefoot (lawn) bowling in Fitzroy. If you haven't tried this, do.

APEC Refugee Finds a Place in Melbourne

I've escaped the APEC hell in Sydney and am spending a few days in wonderful Melbourne.  I am staying with good friends in Carlton, a block from Lygon Street.  Doesn't get much better. 

Some things I have planned include Scienceworks, the Melbourne Planetarium, an AFL game at the MCG, Guggenheim exhibit at the NGV, and who knows what else! 

The weather is supposed to be splendid here.  If today is any indication, I am in for a treat in that regard.  It's sunny and warm, very unlike the typical Melbourne spring from what I hear.  It's raining on the Great Wall of Sydney and all the dignitaries.  Hehe.