It was a joy to hear Billy Bragg on 3RRR this morning as i drove to work. His new songs are moving and poignant, heartfelt as always, although he’s mildly smoothed out his rough accent for the singing. (Interview podcasted via libsyn, and playable right here:

He had some words of encouragement for people who are expecting a lot of the New Rudd Labo(u)r experience. In twelve months, you will all be disappointed. You will say things like, “Rudd’s no different from Howard”. He’s seen it before, when they finally kicked out Thatcher, and were lumped with the oh-so-promising Tony B.

But do not give up hope, and do not become cynical.

i don’t know why people are expecting much, remember Bob Hawke, anyone?
What a let-down. People thought the world would change overnight, even Bob did.
.. and it hurt so much when they chose to govern from the centre(right).
But you’d rather Keating to Howard in retrospect, wouldn’t you!! Well i would.

Jude reminded me the other day of a joke doing the rounds back in 1996. People were saying, “Oh there’s no difference between Keating and Howard.”

The response goes: “Well yes, you’ve got a small bucket of sick (Keating), versus a whole swimming pool full of the stuff.”

Billy also urged us not to bucket Peter G too much, because he has crossed the line from activist to politician. That’s what happens when you make this choice. Political change is a slow game, and politics is the art of compromise. “You’ve just got to make sure that the compromise is on your terms.”

His strongest point? Cynicism is the real enemy. Do not spend all your energy carping about how bad the new government is. Get Active, and Do Something. He said. Hold firmly onto your belief in the possibilities of change. Yeah!

Interviewer’s most embarrassing moment: “Have you played here since your first tour in 1984?”
Billy: “Ah, yes i’ve come here for every album.”
Interviewer backtrack: “Of course, of course.”

One of those classic questions that pops out and you instantly regret it.
“Of course, i was at that concert.”
Oh boy was she blushing.

While i’m waiting for the 3RRR podcast to emerge (fingers crossed), here’s the man talking about the need for a British Bill of Rights (quick comment). (Interview podcasted via libsyn)

.. and the well-meant “All you fascists (are bound to lose)” .. a bit repetitive but catchy.

i’ve been waiting a long time to visit Freycinet. Such is my geographical ignorance, i thought it took up most of the Eastern coast of Tasmania; thankfully i am more knowledgeable now.

The trek across the hill to Wineglass Bay is sumptuous and rich. i was so excited i almost ran up the hill, but had to remember the injured ankle.

Lucky me, i got to visit my lovely cousins in Dolphin Sands, Swansea; the most wonderfully delightful people whose humour and grace kept me thoroughly nourished. Highlights were:

• Fi’s brilliant cooking,
• Tim’s voracious bike-riding,
• Mikey’s killer bowling,
• Lucy’s competitive edge,
• Martin and Polly’s bathroom stories and
• Richard’s Slivovitz.

Yum! Thank you all.

What a breathtaking experience! Cradle Mountain is jaw-droppingly beautiful; i’m so glad i went there. And very happy that i wound up with a flat tyre at the very summit (no, the carpark really) meaning that i had to stay overnight and get more walking joy in the morning.

The walk around the lake was strenuous enough for me, with my flat-tyre-style ankle (mild recurring sprain); interesting how the whole thing has been made into a boardwalk, so that plants can continue to grow underfoot. Maybe one day i’ll do the five day overland trip.

Driving down the next day was unnerving, as i was driving my wonderful sister’s car with one of those strange ‘space-saving’ pretend tyres instead of the real thing. “Don’t go over seventy,” i was warned.

Ended up going through Sheffield (the Mural Town) to Devonport – one hundred km to find a replacement tyre. And no phone reception anywhere until just outside the Ferry City.

So it turned out that Fiona was giving birth to Son Number Two in Halifax just as i was walking through the fields of joy. Yay for Fiona, Paul, Sasha and the New Thing. That Sociology Lecturer, she is a Legend!

Love youse all for reading,
michael

Stepped off the ferry at six am, and the furtherest (sic) i could travel was the wee hamlet of Penguin, twenty minutes away. Largest indoor sunday market on the mid-north coast of Tasmania; how could i resist?

Hello Dear Reader. i Spent boxing day with the very delightful Lynne, whose baby is three months old now.

We walked around the Melbourne cemetery, which must be something in the order of 6000 zillion buckaroos worth of real estate – it’s around forty acres of prime envious developer territory. Imagine being a developer walking through that property, i’d be contemplating sending my ancestors into space to get my grubby hands on that

… yes we spoke of the film ‘The Loved One’, from the classic Waugh novel. Where of course a funeral director builds a rocket to send loved ones into space. Omg. Lmfao!

We wandered through a different area i’ve never seen before, where the graves all date 1850-70, and the ground is dusty and bare. Names like Adelaide Ada reach out from crumbling tombstones; unlike the Italian areas that reach out with their recently polished marble from the edge of the newly laid roads.

Saw the Elvis memorial for the first time. i had no idea. i mean i’ve seen the JFK memorial waterfall outside the old parliament in the Treasury Gardens; but Elvis has a crypt in Melbourne? Yes He Does.

Then we watched “Trekkies”, which is one of the strangest movies i’ve ever seen. i just want to put on my uniform, and start collecting little .. um .. things.

Came home to Californication; the wickedest and most seductive US comedy drama i’ve seen in a while. it’s lovely to see Duchovny take on another role and relish it. The blocked writer somehow a metaphor for the blocked actor phase he’s finally cracked. i know there’s only twelve episodes so i’m trying to take it slowly, draw out the pleasure.

So many people far away. When are Paul and Fiona coming home? They must be about to give birth right about now. Well, Fiona mostly. Go Fi, we’re thinking of you.

At least KT was home for summer solstice. What a delight!
(no i don’t believe in christmas. we call it michaelmas 🙂

Lots of love, michael