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dynamaso

Join Date 09/2004

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Bits & Bobs

A amble through my thoughts at the moment

Preamble to my amble: some of my favourite posts of the past have been of the rambling kind. Sometimes these provide insights, sometimes these provide a comfy place to sit and put my feet up for a while and sometimes they provide me fodder for my somewhat vicarious nature. Of course, it goes without saying that anything I say in here is my opinion only and is not meant to be misconstrued as attacks or flames at anyone.
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I've been a bit disconcerted with the way some people react to others here. Maybe if we all learnt not to take things so personally, we'd all better off. I'm not trying to start another debate about who said what or how or whatever. We're all adults and should be able to disagree without feeling like we're being 'picked on' or 'flamed'.
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While on the topic of feeling disconcerted, I've been feeling the same with regards to an incident that occurred in Australia earlier this week. Organisers of one of the largest musical festivals in the world, the Big Day Out, put out a press release to discourage people from bringing and using the Australian flag for 'antisocial purposes'. For those of you who don't know, tomorrow is Australia Day and traditionally, the Sydney Big Day out is usually held on this day. Last year, in the wake of the Cronulla riots, a very small portion of festival goers were menacing others about their patriotism, and, in some cases, forcing people to kiss the flag. The organisers decided to put out this press release, but were unprepared for the backlash. Essentially, a particular media service took this to mean the organisers were trying to 'ban the flag', which was completely incorrect.

The backlash and followup has being going on all week. Finally, the organisers put out a second press release. It reads as follows:

Clarification on the Flag Issue

The Big Day Out would like to offer the following to clarify its position on "flag banning" at the Sydney show. Contrary to the reports in the media, it was never our intention to disrespect the symbolism of the Australian or any other flag. We are not banning the Australian flag but are simply discouraging its use for anti-social purposes at the Big Day Out.

We state unequivocally that flags will not be banned at any Australian Big Day Out show in the foreseeable future. In recent times, there has been an increased incidence of flags brandished aggressively and this has led to increased tension. Our only intention in discouraging this activity at the Big Day Out is to ensure that our patrons are not subjected to this aggressive behaviour.

With all this in mind and the aim to create a happy, peaceful MUSICAL event, organisers would like to request that fans please leave their flags at home. The Big Day Out is not an Australia Day event, but a music festival showcasing music artists from around the world and aspires to unify people through music.

Unfortunately the media reports yesterday were not quoted accurately and we must thank the participating media for wasting everybody's time including the Prime Minister John Howard, Premier Morris Iemma, NSW RSL President Don Rowe, Keysar Trad (a confidant of the Mufti Sheik Taj el-Dene Elhilaly) and Burt Lane of the Australian National Flag Association...

I sure hope the media groups associated with spreading the misinformation are feeling chastised and sheepish, however, they probably are too busy looking for the next beat up to be even mildly concerned.
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My beautiful bride recently wrote of having a heard from 6 ex-boyfriends Link Some of the responses to this were very touching and humbled me incredibly. I'd just like to say two things in response; 1. Thank you very much and, 2. It is so easy to be the husband I am when I have such a wonderful, understanding, beautiful woman in my life as Toni. She truly is 'special'. Love you, babe.
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I've been feeling a bit slack about not gettting the JU Writers Club started up again after the Christmas break. I have been waiting for 'someone' (won't mention any names, will I San Chonino - oops, I did I say San Chonino... oops, I said it again

). I've been working on a couple of short stories of late but to be honest, work and music commitments have taken priority for the moment. Things will get back to normal very shortly, JU WC friends, I assure you.
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Speaking of music, the band is getting back into the swing of things as well. We've had some incredible success with songs on an unsigned band website (for those of you who haven't heard us, go to www.jjjunearthed.com and then search bands for JC Ronikal - we have three songs you can listen to or download for free). As a result of doing so well on the hip hop charts, we've been approached by a number of different organisations and bands to do live shows and contribute to television shows. We are about to start rehearsing a new singer and also planning our next round of recording. It looks like 2007 is already shaping up to be a good year for us. I'll keep you posted.
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I recently made a big change in my life, completely stopping a habit I've had for the last 13 years or so. I don't want to say too much about it at the moment as it is still early days and I plan on writing something more comprehensive in the future about it. But I've actually been surprised at how easy it has been for me to make this change. To be honest, I've been thinking about doing this for some time now and I've always said to myself I wouldn't give myself a hard time if I tried and failed. But, and this might sound a little twee or obvious or like I'm stroking my own boat, I think the fact I believe in myself, have faith in what I can do and, of course, have the support of an understanding, gracious partner, has made a what-might-have-been difficult transition relatively painless and easy.
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I'm very much looking forward to my next tattoo. I've got a job that is about a third done and I am planning to have it finished this year. As if to aide me in this quest, I recently found out a tattoo studio has opened in my suburb. If I get time, I plan on going down there this weekend, introducing myself and checking out their work. All accounts are the artists are very, very good, but we'll wait and see. Still, it is cool there is a shop close by. I can see myself easily spending a bit of money there.
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Well, I certainly have ambled on and on. I had fun writing this. It is kind of like clearing out all the little bits and bobs one accumulates in a wallet or purse. I feel somehow lighter, with room for more cash LOL Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

blogging

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Last year, in the wake of the Cronulla riots, a very small portion of festival goers were menacing others about their patriotism, and, in some cases, forcing people to kiss the flag

Kiss the flag? Here they would be burning it!

And as for the media, same story different country!

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I think the fact I believe in myself, have faith in what I can do and, of course, have the support of an understanding, gracious partner, has made a what-might-have-been difficult transition relatively painless and easy.

you have all the right ingredients right there to get you through the transition - you will succeed.

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I also love these kind of posts.

I am so excited for your band. Enjoy the ride it sounds like it will be fun.

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Rambling posts are quickly becoming my favorite kind. There is nothing better than getting a glimpse into someone's life, in little bite size pieces. I also find them somewhat cathartic when writing.

The music event sounds fun if they can keep the spoil sports from ruining it. Maybe they should plan the event on a regular day, not a national one. I don't think too many people would think about bringing a flag on just regular old Saturday, or whatever.

I enjoy your wife's posts. She writes like she is a LOT of fun.

Here's hoping 2007 is the year your band does really well!

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I'm psyched to hear things are going well with the band. You guys deserve all the success you can get.

By the way, is there an actual blog group for the JU writing challenge yet? I feel a bit out of the loop. I think there have been a few inspiration pieces I missed. Perhaps if my lazy brother would get his act together and give us a topic. . .

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The tattoo thing surprised me. I really don't know why. So what do you have so far and what are you planning on getting? I love tattoos. I only have one. I would like to get more but my hubby is discouraging it.

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It's enjoyable to ramble and I liked reading your ramble!

I've finally grown some thicker skin since being here so good came from blogging here.

Keep it up when you can, I know, since I"m moving, how short time is!

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Hi everybody,

Thanks for the responses so far... Much appreciated. I will take the time and respond to each of you later. Today is Australia Day and I've got to go and get some beer on ice and some dead meat to BBQ. Have a great day all.

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is Australia Day and I've got to go and get some beer on ice and some dead meat to BBQ

Now I am pissed! tease us will you! 15 degrees here (about 10 below for you celcius folks). Grrrrrr!!!!!

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Thanks for the responses so far... Much appreciated. I will take the time and respond to each of you later. Today is Australia Day and I've got to go and get some beer on ice and some dead meat to BBQ.

By all means take your time! Sounds like you have your priorities right, Maso.

And I dig the rambles too!

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Bits & Bobs

What the hell is a bit and/or bob?

~Zoo

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What the hell is a bit and/or bob?

It's that stuff at the end of the salad bar after all the crocks of dressings, I think...

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It's that stuff at the end of the salad bar after all the crocks of dressings, I think...

No, those are croutons. These are what sausages are made from (and if you like sausage, dont ask!).

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No, those are croutons

Now there's an excellent title for a rambling blog, Doc!

TITLE: CROUTONS

SUBTITLE: and other little tasty sprinklings on this salad called life...

Uh...on second thought, er...no!

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These are what sausages are made from (and if you like sausage, dont ask!).

A bunch of animal parts shoved in a pig intestine...good eatin'.

~Zoo

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A bunch of animal parts shoved in a pig intestine...good eatin'.

All my life I've heard sausage was quite literaly made of "ears, eyes, and assholes."

Hey!

Now that's a pretty good description of the make up of this place, ain't it?

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Now that's a pretty good description of the make up of this place, ain't it?

Why, I do believe it is...

~Zoo

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Now that's a pretty good description of the make up of this place, ain't it?

Pretty much. Who's the ear, who's the eye? I already figured I'm probably the asshole.

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I already figured I'm probably the asshole.

Maso's prolly gonna lay the asshole tag on me for screwin' up his thread when he returns to find this hijacked mess....

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Maso's prolly gonna lay the asshole tag on me for screwin' up his thread when he returns to find this hijacked mess....

This was a ramblin' blog...we're just following suit.

~Zoo

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All my life I've heard sausage was quite literaly made of "ears, eyes, and assholes."

Hey! Now that's a pretty good description of the make up of this place, ain't it?

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Wow, had a great Australia Day celebration yesterday. It was an absolutely glorious day for sitting on our balcony and sharing good times with friends. We cooked up a bunch of
sausages and steak (I was always told sausages were 'tits, lips and assholes' but I guess either is much of a muchness). Toni made an excellent salad and an even better Pecan Pie, then we drank way too much, danced to an all-Aussie playlist then sat on the balcony singing songs and playing guitar to our neighbours until the wee hours of the morning. Of course, our neighbours were in as celebratory mood as we were, so no one was disturbed.

Doc ,

Forcing people to kiss the flag is nearly as bad as the idea of burning the flag, although, I have to say, the fact our flag has the Union Jack on it does still highlight our need to change it into something more relevant to Australia now (no offence to my English friends either but we have to let go of the apron strings sometime). The flag issue is still a bright in a lot of people's minds, including me. I was more annoyed at the misinformation being spread by some parts of the media. Anything for a beat-up...

Jennifer

you will succeed

Oh, I know I will. But thanks for the support anyway. It is appreciated.

Kelly,

I am so excited for your band. Enjoy the ride it sounds like it will be fun.

You know, we will make it because of the wonderful support we have from people all around the world. I can't believe how much my friends here have taken to my music. It has made me feel really special. I will never forget your support and the support of all my wonderful friends here. You all rock in the best way possible.

Tova,

Rambling posts are quickly becoming my favorite kind

Like you, I kinda think these posts are the snack food for JU readers, you know, a few chips, a couple of dips of different varieties or sweet, bite-sized pastries of some sort. Regardless, I always go away from such posts feeling satisfied.

She writes like she is a LOT of fun

She IS the best fun I have with my clothes on and... oh, never mind that

. You (and some others here too, I'm sure) would have loved to been here last night. She is such a fan of music but is not musically inclined. Yet she was singing her lungs out last night with the rest of us, eyes closed and belting the tunes out. It was wonderful to watch.

Here's hoping 2007 is the year your band does really well

Thanks a lot. Please see my response to Kelly. It applies to you too.

BlueDev,

You guys deserve all the success you can get

Thanks to you too. As I said to Tova, please refer to my response to Kelly. It is for you as well.

As far as creating a blog group for JU WC, I've still had no luck. It just won't let me do it, I'm afraid. I've petitioned Admin to have a look at the problem but have not heard anything back yet. I understand they do have priorities but it would be nice to have this problem solved.

Maybe we could go for a two-pronged attack on your slack brother and get his butt into gear. I don't want to have him feel he's being picked on, though. Well, not much, anyway.

Locamama,

The tattoo thing surprised me

I wonder why that is? I've blogged about my tattoos before (check out my sidebar as it is one of my top articles - it even has pictures). I have four tattoos at the moment and will be getting more in the future. In reality, if I had the time and money, I would have a lot more. I really like them. It is a pity your husband doesn't, though.

Trudy,

I liked reading your ramble

Thanks very much. I enjoyed writing it too.

good came from blogging here

I can't begin to tell you how I value the friendships I've made here, the things I've learnt and the feeling I get from being part of this community. It is all good.

Shovel,

I dig the rambles too

Oh well, as you were the one who inspired me (and others) to write such rambles, I just have to say thanks, mate. As for my priorities, well, what can I say. You know how good it is to share a cold beer and some BBQ'd meat with friends. It is one of life's greatest pleasures. As I said earlier, we had a ball. I just wish you (and others here) coulda been here to share the occasion, mate. One day...

Zoo,

Bits and bobs actually is an archaic reference to loose change. A 'bit' originally referred to a small, three penny coin, while a bob was the common name for a shilling coin. These days, it is taken to mean bits and pieces or a variety of small amounts of items. But I did enjoy the exchange between yourself, Shovel and Doc. I guess my point is more points for me!

San Cho,

I already figured I'm probably the asshole

Neither you or Shovel are the assholes here, mate. I think we could all take a guess at who those might be and I am willing to be no two lists would be the same. But I will say this: if you don't pull your finger out and give us a topic for the JU WC, you will be subjected to some severe chastisment and possibly even some good-natured crash tackles, okay?

Thanks again to everyone for your responses. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'm off to clean up after the party and get ready for band rehearsals. Today is the day we're auditioning a potential new singer. Wish us luck

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Forcing people to kiss the flag is nearly as bad as the idea of burning the flag,

Eh.....I dont like burned lips.

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Enjoyed reading the "bits and bobs"...sounds like your band is doing great thus far this year.

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Thanks a lot. Please see my response to Kelly. It applies to you too.

Thanks Dyno. I hope that means when you hit the big time and you're touring the US, you will come stay at my house and give me back stage passes.

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