From Dreamchild 2003 Polixeni Papapetrou (20 images)



Olympia as Lewis Carroll's Beatrice Hatch before White Cliffs, 2003

The Federal Politicians and the State Premier of New South Wales and editorials in the Sunday newspapers are condemning this artwork as being foul and disgusting and something that must be banned.

From the artist Polixeni Papapetrou's Website

I guess the prudes in this country would consider the artwork on the artist's homepage as BONDAGE !

If the current government has their way THIS SITE WILL BE ON THE BLACKLIST !

Current edition available via Art Monthly Magazine

Art Monthly Australia is stocked by most state gallery stores, Borders bookstores, specialist book and art stores, and large newsagents. If If you wish to trade Art Monthly Australia - we are distributed nationally through Network services and Selectair

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I understand from the ABC news this evening that this particular art work has been exhibited for a number of years without so much as a single complaint.

If the Prime Minister of Australia finds this revolting I believe he needs to re-evaluate his outlook on life or return to the State of Queensland.

This image will pass the censors.

Hey guys, cleaning out some clutter and trying to round up some happycash to get a new Eee (With a bigger screen, yaay!), so selling some of my old stuff. :D

Asus Eee PC (White): ~$300?

Works fine, WinXP installation (Although the recovery disc has the default kiddy-safe Xandros OS). For those that don't know what this thing is, it's a laptop about the size of a hardcover book and is AWESOME for doing computery things while you're out and about. :D



Nintendo GameCube (Black) with Resident Evil 4: Make an offer!

Now I've got the Wii, don't have much use for this anymore but some people still like to play Gamecube games, hooray! Also have Resident Evil 4 thrown in for free, so can't go wrong! Only comes with one controller, I'm afraid.

According to the Australian (on-line)..

July 06, 2008

THE NSW government will refer a magazine featuring a naked child on the cover to the Australian Classification board.

Art Monthly Australia magazine sparked fresh controversy over naked images of children by publishing an image of a six-year-old girl on its cover to protest against the recent furore over similar pictures by artist Bill Henson.

NSW police seized a number of Mr Henson's photographs featuring near-naked or naked children in recent months, but were returned to a Sydney art gallery without charges being laid.

The July edition of Art Monthly Australia published the cover image in protest at the "hysteria" over Mr Henson's work.

It also includes several provocative photos of children posing naked in adult jewellery as well as naked teenage girls.

NSW community services minister Kevin Greene said the images had been inappropriately hijacked for political mileage.

"I will refer this to the ACB tomorrow, and the community also should let (the Board) know what they think," Mr Greene told reporters in Sydney.

Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell labelled the publication a "provocative publicity stunt" and called for a review of Arts Council's funding for the magazine.

He said the average parent faced strict regulation of photographing their children at school events, and would be frustrated by the actions of the magazine.

"I understand they are in receipt of funding from the Arts Council and I assume there are procedures where that can be reviewed by Mr Rudd and his ministers," Mr O'Farrell said.

"I notice (Premier) Morris Iemma hasn't ruled them out receiving state government funds in the future.

"The public are furious about the double standards, I think taxpayers are angry when they see funds used in this way and to review it, I think, would be sensible."

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I understand the photograph is of the photographer's own child.

I met up with my NEIS painter friend yesterday and we visited the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of New South Wales which are two hosts of the current 2008 BIENNALE.

We also walked past a World Youth Day "Purchase your Catholic merchandise here" tent. Although he is a Catholic he told how he won't be attending any papal events in Sydney and that he finds some form of spirituality in the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

I don't know if there are Catholic t-shirts on sale in the merchandise tent

image borrowed from SBS article

With the countdown clock to World Youth Day down to the small double digits, reports are emerging of gay groups being questioned by police about their activities and growing disquiet over emergency WYD laws

Australians are apparently a godless lot, according to a survey published by the Bertlesman Group. This isn't a good thing, apparently, as we're trying to present our best face to the thousands of Catholic pilgrims due for World Youth Day.

There'll be a plethora of Pope-age in Sydney during World Youth Day (err, Week). Namely one Pope Alice, (he's the one in the photo in the white facemask) a performance artist and activist who sometimes goes by the name Luke Roberts, who has announced a kiss-in in Sydney's Taylor Square, right on "the day Pope Benedict XVI holds a vigil under the stars with thousands of virile, nubile youths at Randwick Racecourse".

Roberts told the ABC that: "I want to see Pope Alice express herself as a focal point for anybody - gays, lesbians, transgender, queers, bisexuals, heterosexuals. "Anyone who has an open mind and wants to say, 'We've had enough of the medieval religions that keep the world backwards,'" he said.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service have refused to stop people causing annoyance or inconvenience to WYD pilgrims. "Rather than put our volunteers in a situation where they might have a negative interaction with people at World Youth Day, we wanted it to be a positive experience," said Philip McNamara of the SES.

The National Secular Society (UK) states

Australia makes it illegal to annoy Catholics

In preparation for the visit of Pope Ratzinger for the “World Youth Day”, the authorities in New South Wales, Australia, have sneaked in new laws to prevent “annoyance or inconvenience” to Catholics participating in the event. The police have told organisations planning to campaign during the event that they must have placards, banners and T-shirts pre-approved or risk losing their protest “rights” – even for those groups representing victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.

The NSW Government immediately faced a public backlash when the news emerged of the laws. An online retailer is already advertising T-shirts with the slogan: “$5,500 – a small price to pay for annoying Catholics”. Another reads: “The Pope touched me down under”.

Saw the most perfect awesome house this morning. Won't jinx, but god we want it.

Then for lulz looked at fancy new apts above the shops in carlisle st. Nice, but small, and tooooo expensive.

I am getting my hair cut this afternoon finally, pics later I guess! :)

Rob's off for a jam with a new band arrangement this arvy, I very much look forward to the results :D

I've often thought about how cringeworthy the Australian taste for pseudo-Balinese decor (hence the trend towards tropical gardens over the past five years or so) must be to an Indonesian person. This article gives me a hint:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/garden/03australia.html?em&ex=1215316800&en=4b7b2bd98773d1c2&ei=5087%0A

Take that, and make it Caroline Springs-scale and we might just have some idea.

I think my favourite was the moulded concrete platypus at the bottom of the bathroom sink. All hail 1950s-style kitsch!

Lifted wholesale from The Dawn Chorus (http://thedawnchorus.wordpress.com/?p=141):

On July 1st, 2000, the Howard Government introduced the Goods And Services Tax to Australia. The GST was added to the sale price of pads and tampons, but not condoms or cock rings.

In 2006 I started an online petition, calling for Prime Minister John Howard and Health Minister Dr Michael Wooldridge to remove the GST from women’s sanitary products.

In 2007 I started a Facebook group calling for the same thing; presently there are 1,285 group members.

It was reported that Kevin Rudd’s Labor government would be removing this ridiculous and unfair tax upon Australia’s women. As yet, they have not.

It’s time to go on a letter-writing spree:

Kevin Rudd
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
(follow the Dawn Chorus link for an online form)

Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au

Australian Government Office for Women
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
PO Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610
women@fahcsia.gov.au

This legacy of John Howard’s sexist and archaic policies has lingered long enough. Coughing up money each month for a rolled up chunk of sphagnum/plastic in order to avoid bleeding on everything is not a luxury.

-A Multiple Choice question

Your girlfriend goes in for a bone scan on her ankle. After filling her full of the tracking dye, She ;

A:) Texts you for support.
B:) Punches the doctor.
C:) Immediately goes out and hugs the nearest pregnant woman.
D:) Text you with the words " Am Now Radioactive! Am going to crush Tokyo now. Xo"

I was petting my cat the other day, and I was about to stop when he gently took my finger between his teeth and pulled my hand back toward him, then started rubbing his face against it. The message was pretty clear. :)

I spent much of Wednesday increasing the share capital (equity) in the company formed under NEIS from 100 ordinary shares at $1 each to 10,000 shares at $1 each. The original funding was by way of $100 in share capital and a $5,000 non interest bearing director's loan. Centrelink asked for an interim profit and loss report from the date of incorporation (22nd. February 2008) to the 30th. June 2008 and that was sent early yesterday. There is no profit and I haven't budgeted for one in the early months. A form was sent to ASIC (Australian Securities and Investment Commission) regarding the change as is required under law.

I have taken out Professional Indemnity Insurance effective from 1st. July which is necessary both to protect the business from legal claims regarding financial loss and also necessary to obtain a Public Practice Certificate. I don't need a Certificate at this stage but will be applying for one this weekend. All the conditions for a Public Practice Certificate have been met.

I will also be registering for the GST even though it isn't essential until turnover reaches $75,000. I have been approved as a BAS Service Provider by the Australian Tax Office.

I had a couple of phone calls yesterday - one from the barrister referred to earlier and although we didn't get to talk I faxed some information to him.

I have also arranged to meet with my painter friend from NEIS this weekend. We intend to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

I have tentatively agreed to assist him getting his artwork onto the Internet which was part of his NEIS idea even though he didn't convey his ideas well enough to get approved.

...and for those in the United States "Happy Guy Fawkes Day" (July 4th). Someone mentioned it was Guy Fawkes day in the United States on the radio this morning - not strictly correct but oh well...

http://news.theage.com.au/national/hundreds-of-aboriginal-men-say-sorry-20080703-315e.html

Hundreds of Aboriginal men from across Australia have issued a historic apology to their women for the "pain, hurt and suffering" indigenous men have caused them.

For the past three days in the desert of Central Australia, men of all age groups from Cape York, the Top End, Central Australia, NSW and WA have discussed ways to be better fathers, husbands and sons.

They also sought to repair the damage caused in the 12 months since their communities were denounced as hotbeds of violence and abuse.

(Link via http://thedawnchorus.wordpress.com)

( another view behind cut tag )

This is similar to and is in fact the store alluded to in my posting yesterday. Customers appear somewhat bemused by the whole thing. And yes couples do frequent this store. They were a few there this afternoon.

WELCOME TO A NEW ERA OF SEXUAL REPRESSION !

brought to us by the bastards in the Australian Labor Party

I'm so excited!  Two reasons:

1) The new system seems to be doing the trick for Natasha.  Each night has been a bit better, with only one wake last night from 2am to 3am, which hardly even had any crying in it.

2) We've booked a night at The Windsor, and will have chocolatey goodness at Koko Black, and Teppanyaki in Chinatown.  We now have dried  borage flowers on the way, and will have a bottle of Miss Rynn's Passion Potion on hand, for when we retire.

'nuff said

:D

The flat in our street is nice :) Be great if we got that one. It's all hidden away in this secret part at the rear of the block I never knew was there, and Ive lived in this street on and off for almost 10 years. Funky dusty-red feature walls in lounge!

For lolz, looked at a posh, far too pricey place up in "The Avenue" (wank wank) and it was a cold, clinical, very well appointed soulless place a bit too much like a serviced apartment for our liking. It had no heart at all and reeked of yuppie. I think I'll avoid even looking at "new" places after that experience. I like places with a feeling of lived-in-ness. Also the whole "oh we're redoing the carpet and tiles cos the whole place got flooded by the neighbour and the balcony sometimes floods" was a bit "uhhh yeah thanks no". Tho we put an app in anyway for lulz, we wont get it - too many yups turned up to the inspection.

Just give me a nice little cottage near the shops, its all I want *stamps foot*.

- printed list of inspection times, addresses and estate agents on a page
- printouts of each agency's applcation forms, already filled in
- photocopies of our relevant ID
- 4 or 5 places to view in the next few days/next weekend

If this level of obsessive efficiency doesn't net us a decent place then I will eat several of Rob's hats with Tonkastu sauce. So there.

I've had about 2 hours sleep and I feel extremely weird.

A few weeks ago while I caught up with avantave before she flew back to the States. While we were wandering around Southbank we encountered a street performer called Manx finishing his routine. I recorded the climax: swallowing a sword while juggling fire.

I finally got around to uploading the video to YouTube this evening. Some people reading this will have already seen the full sized version at kitling's Midwinter party.

According to New South Wales Government - NSW Police Press Report issued today..

Thousands of unclassified pornographic movies seized in sex shop raid – Parramatta

Wednesday, 02 Jul 2008 05:34am

Police have seized thousands of unclassified pornographic movies in a sex shop raid at Parramatta. About 10.30am yesterday detectives from Parramatta Local Area Command executed the search warrant on the adult book store at Church Street following information received. There they located and seized about 7000 DVD and 1000 VHS unclassified pornographic movie titles which were all on display throughout the store.
It follows the seizure of thousands of pornographic titles and more than three litres of amyl nitrate in a raid at a Darlinghurst adult book shop last week.

There are not believed to be any links between the two stores.

All the items seized yesterday will undergo classification and charges are expected to be laid in the future.

The search warrant was conducted under the NSW Classification (Publications Filming and Computers) Enforcement Act 1995.

Anyone who suspects the supply of unclassified pornographic movie titles can report the matter to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

*** Vision of yesterday’s operation will be made available to media this afternoon, while still images will be available from the Police Media Unit. ***

===========================

Point Number 1. There is no Classification (Publications Filming and Computers) Enforcement Act 1995. There is the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1995 but not a Publications Filming and Computers Act.

Point Number 2. If the video of yesterday's operation was made available to the media as far as I know not a single outlet broadcast it. From what I hear in the store concerned it was seemingly mentioned on the radio at 6 am this morning and it is likely the material will be returned as the police warrant expires on Friday.

Point Number 3. In searching for video released to the media during the raids in Oxford Street I noticed a legal item of interest and with the help of Google Desktop retraced the issue and, alhough it is clear the Sydney Morning Herald spelled the name of the Barrister incorrectly Google Desktop had captured the correct name of the Barrister concerned from an article earlier this year.

I have a letter from him today inviting me to discuss the legal issues involved.

Almost 5 weeks after Carnivores at La Luna, guess what! The piece of glass that got stuck in my finger has finally come out! And yes, I promise to be more careful with my wine in future...

Sorry to blab on about house stuff so much...

Looked at our first apartment today: up dandenong rd a few stops from where we now are, top floor apartment with a lovely lounge and seperate dining room - AWESOME views from the balcony. Fairly roomy... no dishwasher but eh. I'm dubious about all the stairs and the rather small balcony but Rob likes it a lot.

I dont want to jump the gun as there are still a few nice places to see/apply for and I dont want to pass them up (the interesting one being one right across the road we'll look at tomorrow. Fancy how easy a move that would be!).

Positives: I chatted nicely to the agent lady, gave her my business card, and when I mentioned being a tenant of 8 years her face lit up like christmas. Thats a very good sign for any applications, it would appear.

I'm not 100% sure on this place and its the first weve seen but... we'll see how we go.

Wanted: A "house style" for Word documents.

Document structure will always vary based on content, so you can't be too prescriptive. But formatting typically varies based on personal preference (Bob likes Arial with 1.5 spacing, Carol likes justified Times) and legacy (Ted got a sample from Alice and used that as the template).

I'd love it if we have a nicely designed house style to meet these requirements:

• Ability to collaborate with copy and paste, because styles already match.
• Good heading styles, both with and without numbering, with enough difference in size, weight and spacing to easily distinguish between heading levels.
• Good list styles that apply when you click the numbered/bulleted list buttons, and which nest gracefully when changing levels.
• Enough whitespace to ensure easy reading and delineation between styles.
• No logos, headers, footers, etc. Just styles. (But bare bones templates with such content could be published as well.)

Worth fighting for? To be successful, it would require sponsorship by Communications, buy in from several business units, EDS work to roll it out as the default template for new documents, plus additional work to adapt frequently used templates.

Hmm, perhaps not. But if you have seen good Word (or even ODF) templates out there in the wild, I'd love to hear about them.

Poll #1215653 Best Thing Ever: Year 4 / Week 44
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

Which of these is better?

Nine out of ten doctors recommend traveling the universe.

Ancient Egyptian urban archaeology, examining the lives of ordinary people rather than just the shiny nobility:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/science/01egyp.html?th&emc=th

Would you be willing to be infected with hookworms to relieve allergy symptoms?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/health/research/01prof.html?th&emc=th

Otherwise known as ;
"Why I need a new job in private industry."

Im going to keep this fairly short, because if I don't, my head will explode and I will cry (Not necessarily in that order by the way).

To Whit :

The Reply button
The Reply ALL button.

They are two completely different things.
If you want to call yourself an IT professional, you stupid moron, then for the love of $DOG please remember this ?
Forgetting this one simple fact can only reduce the respect you're given for having the title "ITS Training Manager".

To anyone (like say, my brothers or parents) who may not have understood the extent of the ripoff agents are pulling on people for rental properties at the moment, check out these lovely photos of the inside of a house in malvern titled "calling all artists!"

This place is $350 a week - bear that in mind when you look at these images...

( pics of ugly inside )
Bleugh! "Calling all artists" - what, artists will live in squalor but still pay exhorbitant rates for it? You scumbags.

The eagle-eyed among you might have spotted this already, but for those who had to blink at some point yesterday - MOO's launched Business Cards! As so many of you have asked for the MOO MiniCard magic just that little bit bigger, we felt duty bound to indulge you.

MOO Business Cards are a similar size to standard business cards, but with some very cool differences:( More )

Today is one of those days I'm glad Victoria has a Charter of Human Rights. Mainly because it prohibits the State Government from passing laws like these ones in New South Wales.

This isn't the first time a Pope has come to Australia and this kind of fuss certainly wasn't made in times past.

Another fine actor, Don Davis, has passed away.

I sense another viewing of Twin Peaks coming on.