Australia Day has become contentious. It’s difficult now to see it as a day when all Australians are unified.
Australia Day
In my mind, I’d remove 26 January as a gazetted public holiday. It hasn’t always been a gazetted public holiday. In my opinion, it’s still an important day worthy of teaching about in school. It’s still a day to be reminded of in terms of Australia’s modern history. The facts of what happened then will not change.
In balancing primary and secondary education syllabuses, getting all the factual information together and teaching it in a manner that avoids bias but encourages analysis and synthesis of thought is vital. I despair that students aren’t encouraged to engage in independent unbiased thinking about “big issues”. What I see from where I sit is undue influence rather than impartial imparting of factual knowledge.
In the context of reconciliation I’d like to see a thanksgiving day modelled a little on what happens in the USA. Rather than a specific day of a specific month, I’d go with a Friday, perhaps the first Friday of February every year. It would keep a long weekend and make it a permanent long weekend and would provide a public holiday in February.
Unlike the US thanksgiving, the focus shouldn’t be on a footy match and on-line sales in shops, but on a day of reconciliation. It goes without saying, for me the common thing with the US thanksgiving I would endorse is some focus on sharing a communal meal. Rather than with immediate family, our local government agencies could conduct a free lunch open to all people. I’d even be happy for there to be a taxation levy to support this.
Perhaps this idea is too radical for some but we do need to close the gap between those who need better health both physical health and mental health. Animosity between people creates division, we need healing reconciliation.
Comfy Bogan
I must be Australian enough to be followed by the Comfy Bogan on Twitter.
Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year
So it’s the year of the Rat. I’m a rat according to the Chinese Zodiac.
Basian
Last night instead of something Chinese I cooked a steak because I’m a basian. A bad Asian.
If Chinese New Year is your thing, happy new year.
Hailstorm drama
This week Canberra was hit by a powerful hailstorm. There was a huge amount of damage. It’s telling that insurance companies are communicating by text message after events like this now.
What I’ve watched this week
Star Trek: Picard
I didn’t realise until this week that Star Trek: Picard would be on Amazon Prime rather than Netflix for fans in Australia.
I watched the first episode and was impressed with what I saw. I know it will take a few episodes to get a better feel for the series and whether the direction makes sense or not.
It is good to see Picard again as well as Data. The story so far is good and I look forward to how it is explored. If you’re prevaricating on whether to watch it or not, I’m going to say yes, do it.
Sex Education
In the evenings this week I’ve enjoyed watching season two of the made for Netflix production, Sex Education. I think Gillian Anderson is a wonderful actor. The role she plays as a sex therapist and mother to Otis suits her well. Otis, who is going through the struggles of teenage life is really played well by Asa Butterfield. My favourite character is Otis’s love interest Maeve played by Emma Mackey.
The whole cast is great. The exploration of teenage and adult sexuality is really well done.
Stargate Atlantis
I’m now into season four and I am saddened by the deaths (apparently) of Beckett and Weir, but I am overjoyed that Carter is back to command Atlantis. I think there is only one more season after this and then I will have completed watching all there is in the Stargate universe.
I’ll probably get back into Babylon 5 which I left hanging a little after not finishing season three.
Will this work?
I recently had an unpleasant experience while out walking. Friends suggested a dog or a stick. I travel too much for a dog and a stick will likely be used against me.
I wonder if a whistle will work? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
What I’ve listened to this week
Nothing really. It’s quiet on the podcast scene. I mean I’ve been listening to the weekly podcasts from my regular shows but nothing has stood out worthy to mention here.
What I’ve eaten and photographed this week
I’m just going to dump a gallery of photographs here and let you scroll through and see what I’ve been enjoying.
Final thoughts
- How do you feel about Chinese/Lunar New Year? Do you celebrate? What are you according to the Chinese Zodiac?
- How do you feel about the 26th day of January? Do you celebrate? Do you lament the colonisation of the Great Southern Land?
- Have you watched Sex Education on Netflix? What did you think?
I think a whistle is a good idea Gary to give you some level of comfort/security when walking so early in the mornings. I celebrated CNY with my Chinese and Aussie friends by hosting a brunch with both Aussie and Chinese dishes. It was lovely.
Your celebrations sounds great Sue.
Your celebration sounds great Sue.
I don’t think, that a flute may help you much. I tried to translate a word to English and hope, it is correct translated. You need a Duress instead. They come out in small sizes, as you can keep in your hand inside a pocket. It has a little leash, as you hold in your hand, when you walk out. If anyone come to close to you, you hold the Duress and take out the split as follow the leash and throw the alarm far away. The alarm will not stop making noise, before the split is inside it again or it runs out of battery. Those are recommended by the police, if you are in a risk group of human beings. I got one many years ago. They are not expensive.
Thanks Irene. I will thing about a duress device rather than a whistle.
I absolutely loved the opening episode of Picard, maybe because one of my all time favourite ST:TNG episodes was ‘Offspring’ – bit of a spoiler if you know the episode, but haven’t seen the opening episode.
Will you watch Stargate Universe after Atlantis? And all the SG-1 telemovies?
Oh I forgot about Universe. Yes I will. I have seen the SG1 straight to DVD movies.