Oh, How Embarassment!

Being half Indian (Goan) and Half Australian (Irish) has always had its moments. From being called a Choc Wedge, to a curry muncher etc etc.

But let me just say that last night watching the attrocious closing ceremony - It was such an advantage - because did the Indians ever show us Melbournian Aussies how to put on a performance.

How sad that the highlight of the whole night was the next country showing us how its done. They used the space, filled it with colour and movement - and best of all actually entertained us.

How the hell did the artistic directors think that pink haired bimbos, Dame Edna and any number of bogan rock bands/performers represented Melbourne/Australia - and that lame excuse for a multicultural performance - people holding up square 'mug shots' of their ancestors, which you could hardly even see - come on!!

The other two highlights was:
1. watching the fireworks from the top floor of a Southbank apartment building balcony.

and

2. Watching my friend scream "this is shit" at the top of his lungs from the same balcony in the hope that Ron Walker et al. might hear his cries!

All in all - when you weigh up the parochial, biased media coverage garbage that channel 9 churned out and the fact that if this was the olympics - Australia would hardly even have featured in any of the medal tallys - you can say that the Festival Melbourne organisers rocked. - Because that was the best part.

At least we could actually see people from countries like Solomon Islands and celebrate their involvement instead of being brushed aside to see another arrogant australian athlete claim a gold medal 0ver an athlete from a country with probably no training facilities and no government sponsored sports system.

The only way Tamsyn Lewis can win is to call England on foot fault. If there was a gold medal for being a dumb mole - then Tamsyn Lewis might win - although she would competing hard with Jana Pittmann.

Let's just say that "We'll see you in Delhi 2010" - can't wait.

Where the Bloody Hell were we?

So, The question that Melbournians must ask themselves is Where the bloody hell were you in the opening ceremony?

Now, unless I'm mistaken and Melbourne is a real life Dreamworld Theme Park - the fact that Melbourne was represented by koalas, wombats and joeys riding around on thongs, is just not right.

Not to mention that there was no Indigenous Welcome to Country or any other sort of real Indigenous representation.

But what is right about the "Common"wealth Games?

Take for example the fact it is based on the historical fact that Britain having been colonised, invaded and ruled since the year dot - took it on themselves about 600 years ago to go forth and invade, colonise, massacre, convert and enslave numerous lands and peoples across the globe.
(After having done the same thing to Wales, Scotland and Ireland)

The fact that the English language is the tie that binds St Helena to Brunei and Botswana to the Isle of Man -is at the expense of hundreds of indigenous languages and creoles

The protest last week got it right - the Stolenwealth is the best way to describe the 'pink shading on the map'.

From India to Mauritius, Australia to Nauru - the reason why the Queen of England has $7000 hats and private planes and palaces etc etc - is because the wealth, land and people of these countries was 'acquired' by her ancestors through such garbage policies as 'terra nulius'.

How good that John So got a better applause than either the Queen or Lil' John.

If there is one thing to admire about the USA - its that they decided years ago to be a republic. even if they are now setting out to commercially and culturally colonise the rest of the world.

On the upshot - as part of the games there are awesome performers in town - take seeing Jimmy Cliff last night for free at the Bowl. and tonight Mama Africa - Miriam Makeba again - for free!

By the way - Soon there will be the Blankshooting Games - which will be 'the best games ever'

see: http://blankshooting.blogspot.com

Let's Wok!

Not So friendly!

From News.com.au:


Ghost caught pinching bums

A MEDIUM has been called in to investigate reports of a ghost that was pinching women's buttocks at the local pub.

Staff at the century-old Cornwall Arms have reported several encounters with the touchy-feely phantom.

Lisa Potter claims to have been spooked several times since taking over the pub six months ago with husband Craig.

"It goes very cold and then it feels as if someone is brushing up against you and touching your bottom," the 28-year-old told The Sun newspaper.

The couple have called in local medium Gayle Force, 52, who claims the pest is a former chef.

Interesting Article

Unlike my other posts this is purely to share with you an interesting article from the National Geographic.

"Scientists announced today the discovery of a small "kingdom" on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa thought to have been obliterated by the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. "

Read the whole article here:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/02/0227_060227_lost_kingdom.html