I was mulling over some thoughts in preparation for a debate post that’s been sneaking around my head for a couple of weeks and I decided I needed a little research to strengthen my post. Whilst researching news websites, it quickly became apparent that my original debate post wasn’t going to happen because there’s oh so much sharable stuff during the week.
Whilst important issues like the current financial crisis catch headlines, it’s difficult to ignore the fact that we’ve apparently nearly reached the real apocalypse despite the CDC formally assuring us the zombies are yet to rise, although it seems things may have already begun (albeit briefly) down in Brazil.
Moreover, with deadly threesomes and cyborg cats dominating the airwaves, there is an unprecedented lack of news surrounding Lara Bingle’s latest bodily function or fashion move. What is the world coming to?
To top it off, I’ve just learned that the internet troll himself, Mr Trololo, died this week.
But what’s piqued my interest at the moment is Australia’s place on the world stage. We want to talk big, walk big and punch above our weight. We also want to maintain close ties to everyone (except perhaps the British monarchy) but are being warned that we may have to choose between China and the USA as our biggest ally (although this particular article eludes me. Have a nice alternative WWF logo as compensation. It’s kind of Chinese and kind of American at the same time).
But however much we want to make our mark in the global community, digging in the file I hereby dub “Secret Government Stuff” shows where we really stand. Whilst Wikileaks gives clandestine chappies across the globe a severe case of sweaty palms and it comes out that apparently the USA is responsible for the Stuxnet virus – one of the worst computer viruses conceived to date – our biggest, darkest secret seems to be a wild population of yowies roaming west of Sydney.
Where do you think Australia does, and more importantly should, sit in the global community?
Failing that, it’s Friday! So what made the news this week on Planet You?
I think we sit fairly high up considering the population of Australia, part of that because of the nature of us being a developed nation in the region we are located in.
On another note, it is 3am and I am still awake browsing travel insurance stuff for my trip to Finland and trying to make decisions.
Does anyone here have any recommendations?
Thus far I have ruled out World Nomads from 3 pages of negative reviews with only 2 positives. Covermore and Travel Insurance Direct are looking like possible options.
I am looking for something with decent coverage and at the lower cost end of the spectrum. I have looked at going through my current health insurance provider but I got a quote of twice as much as either Travel Insurance Direct or Covermore.
Any help would be very much appreciated!
Now I am going to bed.
Thats weird your health provider is so much more expensive. Mine is a lot cheaper than covermore and was very good to deal with when the boy ended up in hospital on our last trip. I’d recommend them but you obviously have to be a member. They were backed by Allianz though so maybe look into that as an option? When I hurt myself in new York I think I was with QE. They were pretty good and preapproved my claim when I couldn’t afford the medical costs up front ($1000 MRIs as a poor intern etc). If you have the entertainment book you get a discount on some travel insurance providers.
Yeah. I was shocked at the price mine gave me, it was more than anything else I’ve seen.
Because Finland and Australia have a reciprocal health agreement I’m automatically covered for emergencies. Yay for the small things!
I think my friend uses STA (or is it STAR?) when she goes to the US. Good luck finding someone good!
STA I think. No doubt linked with the travel agency. I’ll have a look tonight at them.
Also, another question…. What does personal indemnity insurance cover exactly? I’m not all with it when it comes down to knowing exactly what I’m covered for when reading these policies.
That’s if you get sued or something.
Just as an aside, sadly I’m entrenched in the insurance industry, so if you want me to run an eye over anything just send it my way.
Yes please! I’ll send via Facebook probably later.
With all those rotors the dead-cat bounce should be pretty impressive.
They’d probably need eight propellers for Garfield.
Add missiles, genuine attack cat.
Probably not as scary as this one though
We want to talk big, walk big and punch above our weight.
Don’t be fooled. Acting like a swaggering soccer hooligan is a far cry from BEING one. Australia is able to bank a budget surplus and still provide health care for all its citizens. Other countries are courting Australia for the influence it will bring; “see us? We’re buds with the Aussies!”
You can’t stand toe-to-toe and trade punches with the heavyweights. That just leads to broken noses and yelling “Adriaaaan!!!!” Stay nimble and adaptive.
Keep your politicians from becoming their own brand of royalty. Kick a few of the bastards out once in a while just to keep them on their toes.
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Also: there weren’t enough YES votes to make a SplatUp happen this weekend in Brisbane. So I’m off to medieval pastures on Saturday instead.
Probably just as well since I seem to be coming down with a cold. Aveagoodweekend!
Agreed, for a small country famous for the sound of music, eidlwiese, and being just to the north of Germany…we do alright on the world stage.
Forgive me, for I have sinned. Austria is to the south of Germany. I should know, I was there recently.
I think that Australia’s relevance in the world stage will never match up to what Australian’s think their relevance is on the world stage.
Took Mum to see Moonshadow last night. Now, remembering that this review is being done by somebody whose personal musical tastes tend toward death metal.
It was pretty good. Visually impressive with both cleverly designed dynamic sets and visual effects. A clever story to combine a number of his most recognizable songs masking a deeper metaphor.
Vocals were good. The leading lady in particular had MAD VOICE SKILLZ! I am not going to gush and proclaim it the bestest thing Iv’e seen, but for something that would generally not be my cup of tea, I was not disappointed with the show.
Mum loved it, and my poor Dad (who is not a Cat Stevens fan) is going to be stuck listening to Mum’s CDs for some time.
My Mum expressed an interest in seeing that, but unfortunately both she and I can’t afford a trip down there to see it.
I want to go now!
I don’t seem to have any plans tomorrow, which suits me just fine. As mentioned above, I’m sort of coming down with something (by which I mean, my throat has been ominously itchy and sore for the past few days), so I’m hitting the Vitamin C tablets hard to try and kill it or at least reduce it. On Sunday Mr Coaster, DJ and I are off to Noosa to visit Mr Coaster’s sister and nephew, so that will be a whole day event. I’m really looking forward to that because we don’t get to see them often, and it’s even less often that we go up their way to visit. I hope I’m well enough to go. And Monday will probably be a family veg out day at home, which will be awesome, it will be very nice for Mr Coaster to have a day to do nothing.
NAB List:
DJ learning how to hold his waterbottle all by himself
Game of Thrones season 2 finale
Slow-cooked beef stroganoff
New scrapbooking supplies on their way to me via post
Tasty Vitamin C tablets
Are you watching Game of Thrones online? Cuz the channel I watch it on (Showcase?) is a week behind.
I watch it thanks to my friend Mr Magnetlink
You will be near us. We’re in Maroochydore this weekend for one of Al’s friend’s wedding. But my mum and dad came down specially to see us so we’re kinda off grid.
Have a nice weekend and go away bugs!!
Meh. I’m a bit of a world stage ostrich this week. But I need to share my incredible week with you one and all.
My gf Kirsten had a baby boy yesterday. Yes, lovely, yada yada. But the real biggie is – she asked me to be her support person through the labour. So I can no longer use my favourite line from Gone With the Wind – ‘I don’t know nuthin’ bout birthin’ babies, Miss Scarlett’. Because now I DO!! And it was amazing and incredible and beautiful and breathtaking and I’m running out of awesome to describe it with!
I’ve had 3 of my own, all birth centre births and this one was a labour ward birth. Its incredible actually watching a woman labour and feeling your own instincts kick in when it comes to supporting her. I’m still giggling about a few things – at one stage I was supporting her full bodyweight as she had contractions and she apologised afterwards and then said ‘Mind you, you are a bit of a tank!’ At another stage she goes ‘If feels like I’m about to have a huge shit’. Yes. That is EXACTLY what it feels like for much of it lol. And at another point she was going ‘I want an epidural! I can’t do this anymore’ and getting the shits – and I mummed her. ‘Yes you can! You have to wait for the anaesthetist so just use the gas and shut the fark up’ lmao. I’m still laughing that she thanked me for that afterwards saying she would have totally played on the wuss factor if I hadn’t lol.
At 5.15pm little Tyler James came into the world, pink and beautiful and healthy. I feel so incredibly privileged to have been asked to be a part of it. We are all revelling in the love-fest that is a newborn and the ‘amazeballs’ factor of it all.
So this is the bulk of my NaB list today. Happy long weekend, my darling Splatmates!
You are an amazing friend, Haven. Congratulations to Kirsten and her family
Oh thankyou Loller! Thats a beautiful thing to say. I was so overwhelmed when she asked if I’d be there. Such a privilege. She sent me a beautiful thankyou text this morning. Just the most incredible feeling all round.
Interesting topic, and you could easily write an undergraduate essay for International Studies 101 on it (in fact I may have).
Honestly, at the moment we are the world’s sandpit and I’m fine with that. We lack the required motivation for serious innovation (why innovate when you can just dig up some things and sell them?). When your country has limited physical resources (land, minerals etc) and plentiful human resource you are forced to innovate. Before the current mining boom, Australia rode the sheep’s back to prosperity. Once the current mining boom collapses agriculture will probably be our main export again.
This is the deal we signed up for with globalisation. Rightly or wrongly, we sold out or domestic manufactoring industry to get a part of the action. And as a result we’re richer than we’ve ever been. But no longer a small island insulated from global shocks (as my stock portfolio will attest to). The good with the bad.
One of the lessons I learned years ago in some macroeconomics class somewhere is that we are unique in that we are a highly developed country that still relies on primary resources. As countries develop they tend to shift from primary resources to manufacturing to services, but we’re firmly stuck on primary industries due to our abundance of stuff to dig up/grow and sell.
Personally, I reckon since digging stuff up is finite (and only benefits so many) and we can’t compete with manufacturing due to the labour arbitrage, we really should be innovating. We have the means and the bright sparks to do it, but we seem content with selling dirt.
I agree with Beez. I think we’re nowhere near as important as the politicians would like to think we are. And that’s just fine with me. Makes us a far smaller target for loonies with bombs and guns and, when the zombie apocalypse hits, I’m just going to go back home to Tasmania and wait it out.
I think I will be doing as little as possible this weekend. I’ll have a day all to myself (as Ghryswald is going to be regressing elsewhere) and I think I shall enjoy it
.
A bit of me time is often so perfect! Sounds like you two are going to both have a lovely day.
On Planet Me this week, well last week and this week, we moved in with Motorbike Man. It’s been wonderful. There’s still some boxes to be unpacked here and there but mostly it’s done and we’re in. We didn’t kill each other on moving day and haven’t yet so I think that’s a pretty good start. The little man has adjusted super well, we had more issues with the dog adjusting haha.
It’s so nice having someone to snuggle with on the couch of an evening and to share stuff with. I love him to bits and couldn’t be happier
This weekend I’m doing girl stuff and shopping with my bestie tomorrow then tomorrow night her folks are renewing their vows so we’re going to that. The weather on sunday/monday is supposed to be total crap so we’ll probably just veg out at home and finish the rest of the unpacking.
Hope everyone has an awesome long weekend!
Someone get the bucket!
Couldn’t be happier for you, Angelwings.
Thanks Loller! Definitely need the bucket lol.
Wow honey – what a big year you’ve had! I’m so wrapt for you and your little guy that you are so happy and things are working out so beautifully for you xx
Ditto to what Haven said. Sounds like it’s right for you two!
It sure feels like it Smoph
It has definitely been a big year so far Haven
Hopefully only more good stuff to come. xx
I was about to say good morning but then realised it’s afternoon. What? When did that happen?!
I think the world underestimates Australia, but I also think Australia likes to pretend to be a big gun. Our population just isn’t large enough to really play with the big boys. But for all that, I think we generally do pretty well for ourselves. We’re a country of opportunity, but there are also a lot of hard workers in this country. I feel lucky to live here.
As for my week… Yesterday was exam day. Eek. I don’t think I did very well. I hate databases. But I’m hoping for a pass, so I never have to do that subject again.
This week my internet FINALLY got connected at home, and on the same day the plumber came to set up my washing machine drainage. I’ve never felt so domestic, or been so excited to do washing!
This weekend should be a good one. Mr Nerd is going to Europe next Friday for three weeks, so we’re trying to cram as much fun into this weekend as possible. Tonight we’re double dating with Mr Almost (I really should change his name. Our friendship is now more like syblings. Funny how things change!). Peking duck – yum! Tomorrow night I’m having my house warming, and I’ve organised for us to essentially take over the little pizza place around the corner. There’ll be 12 of us, and it should JUST seat us. I went to speak to them the other night about booking, and the lady who owns the place was so excited. I gather they don’t really get reservations, and especially not of that size. I’m happy to go there and support a local business. Seems fitting for a house warming.
On Sunday another friend of mine is having a house warming, so there’s that. And Monday is DATE DAY for Mr Nerd and I. We plan on doing something fun just for us.
Bring on the weekend!!
Oh, what’s that, there’s still 4 hours of work to go? Well fine, if I must…
Mr Bromost?
So much work, so little time…
I look forward to some time on the week to actually click those links.
I am finishing up getting rid of stuff on the weekend and hopefully having a really quite one.
weekend*
quiet*
Holy crap that was a exercise in fail.
Just dropped in to say that one of my YouTube heroes sent me an email in response to something I sent them, my day has been made!
“Necessity is the mother of invention”. Australians have been involved and responsible for many great innovations and new ideas.
Black boxes, sheep breeds and all manner of things. However, whilst we concentrate on gas pipe-lines, mining and the petro-chemical industries, the motive to be innovative is lost because the money $$$$$$$$ is just in digging and mining our natural resources.
Education and motivation might be old hat but until we put more money into incentive and research, people will flock to jobs paying ¼ million bucks a year to supervise digging up the ground.
We still need to put more importance on education and organisations like the CSIRO and whatnot. Otherwise, we will become a great big continent with a huge hole in the middle of it and a small population reliant on foreign labour to make our hole bigger in order to continue to be viable.