Reconciliation 20 years on - The Redfern Speech

It is Reconciliation Week in Australia.  It is also 20 years since (then) Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating made what has been voted the third most significant speech* of all time; The Redfern Speech. 

(*According to a poll of Australians - who voted Martin Luther Kings 'I have a Dream' speech and the Sermon on the Mount as second and first!).

Mr Keating was the first Australian politician to publicly acknowledge the following :


'... I say, the starting point might be to recognise that the problem starts
with us non-Aboriginal Australians.
It begins, I think, with that act of recognition.
Recognition that it was we who did the dispossessing.
We took the traditional lands and smashed the traditional way of life.
We brought the diseases. The alcohol.
We committed the murders.
We took the children from their mothers.
We practised discrimination and exclusion.
It was our ignorance and our prejudice.
And our failure to imagine these things being done to us.
With some noble exceptions, we failed to make the most basic human response
and enter into their hearts and minds.'


Powerful stuff, but it took 16 years until another Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, apologised to Australia's Indigenous people.   

Last night I went to a seminar. The topic was the significance of the Redfern speech 20 years on.

The speakers were Mick Dodson (Australia's first social justice commissioner - among other more recent roles), Kerry Arabena (who holds a professorial position dealing with Koorie, in particular female Koorie, health) and Bryan Keon-Cohen (a junior counsel for the plaintiff during the Mabo litigation).  

Because of the time limit and format of the seminar, the real issues were glossed over.  
However, the feeling was mutual between all:

• What was started with great hope stuttered for a period due to lack of political support.  
• Awareness in the public has improved but; as Mick Dodson so rightly pointed out 'we've been copping this crap for a long time and it is time it stopped'. 
• There are some powerful new leaders coming through, that aren't carrying the 'baggage that their elders have'. 
• Mabo was a reflection of the power of one.
• That Koorie native title still has a long way to go.

As a white anglosaxon I was sheltered from much by my privilege of birth.  Both my parents were immigrants from Europe who found a place in a new country.  I was protected by the opportunities they provided for me.  

When I was growing up I was unaware that there were serious ongoing social problems within Australia's indigenous population, which to this day still have not been adequately addressed. Because of my privilege I can't possibly hope to understand this.   But I want to try and learn.

However, I am not surprised that Australia's indigenous population lack trust because of the way they were treated in the past. 

As one comment last night so succinctly stated ...

 'Australia is the best place on Earth? Not if your black its not'.  

INDIVIDUALISED SUPERFOODS

In my never ending quest for healthy eating (to make up for all the wine, chocolate and coffee I consume) I am constantly reading about the superfoods we should all be consuming.  We read about whole grains, lots of veges and fish three times a week. Also the 'new stuff' (new that is really old) like quinoa, chia, kale, coconut oil,  sunflower seeds, sprouted nuts.

Some of them taste awful, others are really expensive and yet others take such a long time to prepare.  What the dietary information doesn't always tell you is that some of these foods are actually not good for everyone, for all sorts of reasons (including blood type, dosha type, if you have an auto immune disease etc.)  

It sometimes takes years of experimenting to get it right, and know what is good for you or not - so you have to individualise your superfoods.     

Take my case for example: I am blood type A and vata dosha. Things I am not supposed to eat on the blood type food plan I am encouraged to eat on the vata food plan and vice versa.  It has taken me a lot of trial and error to get the mix right, and also to know what to expect if I slip up.  (Often 2-3 days of trying to get the balance back again.  I have posted this previously).

Among others:

I am not good with potatoes,  garlic, eggplant, cabbage or hard cheeses.  

Other foods I tend to eat only in small amounts, cautiously, and always with either a sploosh of olive oil, slice of avocado or a dollop of real Greek yoghurt as a pacifier (leafy greens, broccoli). 

Others I eat with abandon and no side effects (oat porridge, sweet potato, peanut butter).  

It is interesting that a 'fad diet' known as the 'flat stomach diet' advocated eating one of 4 choices with every meal in order to retain a flat stomach. These were either virgin olive oil, dark chocolate, a glass of red wine or avocado.  

None of these 'stomach flatteners' (read pacifiers) cause me any concern (apart from the red, one is good, two ..... is great! threeeee issssshhh ...... you get the idea!).  

And it is not just food ... if your lifestyle isn't complementing your diet, no amount of shovelling kale and sesame seeds down your gob is going to help.  

Does anyone out there also have this fixation with their diet? (apart from Sarah Wilson, who has an AI disease and needs to balance through her diet as well as lifestyle).  

Perhaps I am showing my age?  (Shhhh; I didn't say that !) 

(Borrowed moniker) - Things I love Thursdays (on Friday)

I am running around, working too much,  tired, stressing the small stuff, feeling transient and wandering aimlessly (sounds worse than it is, no panic).

Things seem impossible and too hard when I am in this frame of mind.  My dosha is unbalanced and I am not feeling my healthiest, best or brightest.  

A blog I follow; 'Gala Darling' has given me a jolt of guilt.

Gala, in her wisdom, reminded everyone to write a gratitude list.  She even offered the use of her moniker 'Things I love Thursday' (one day late for me!).

So, that is what I am going to do now, compile a list of what is good in my life today, not what is less than perfect.

I am grateful for: 

My loving family, (who I don't see as often as I want to)
My tolerant, wonderful friends - you know who you are
My dog, who loves me unconditionally, even if I am too tired to walk her
The sunny day outside, which I am going to walk in when I finish this posting - even though it is cold and windy
Porridge and honey.  
Two girls in a hot pink car (envy!) wearing outrageous beanies and singing and bopping to a song on the radio 
My sea change - which is waiting for me to return to..........

What are you grateful for today?  Let me know. 

Star Trek: Into Darkness - Movie Review

I am not a real 'Trek-y'.  I watched some of the original Star Trek series when I was younger, but it wasn't compulsory viewing.  

I wouldn't stay up late to watch the reruns and I had no interest in the sequels such as Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Nemesis etc.  

I did enjoy the first 'modern' movie remake of  'Star Trek' starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and the hunky but evil Eric Bana.  (I enjoyed that movie so much that it became one of my favs on DVD; I pull it out every couple of months for a viewing.)  

I was super hopeful that the latest addition to the Star Trek stable 'Into Darkness'  would be of the same calibre.  

Poster from Wikipedia

It was; although this offering is more violent and blood thirsty and, for true Trek-ys, the lack of development of some of the characters will be unsatisfying. 

It had a love story (Uhura and Spock .... ahhhhhh) (their lovers tiff is a wonderful bit of scripting, and a bit of a tear jerker too).  I loved that we got to know the human side of Spock in greater detail. 

Kirk was still a lad-about-town with the women, willing to brawl with anyone - but this movie saw his 'coming of age' as a starship Captain.  (Bad boy makes good). 

There was a not so subtle reference to Chariots of the Gods through a primitive tribe on an island with a volcano ready to erupt.  

Karl Urban's 'Bones' delighted with his colloquial 'euphemisms' for everything (and Kirks comment about 'why can't you just say what you mean'?). 

Simon Peggs 'Scotty'  stole the show for me with just about every line -  just wonderful.  

I would have liked to see more of Anton Yelchins 'Chekov' - a wonderful character from the first installment, and John Cho's 'Sulu', who only had a minor role in this movie.  


The low was the introduction of a new character; Dr. Carol Marcus played by Alice Eve. It felt like her character was added to help  smooth out rough spots in the script; her role was otherwise superfluous. Especially unbelievable was her reaction to a family members betrayal (the characters, not the actresses).


Apart from Spock, and to a point Kirk and Scotty, the other characters were fairly one dimensional in a movie that starred action and violence.  My attraction to the first movie was the development of the characters personalities and motivations for becoming star fleet-ers.

The friend I went with is not a Trek-y at all, having never seen the original (or any) series.  She had had trouble following the story in the first movie.   

However, she giggled her way through Into Darkness, rode the roller coaster of special effects and enjoyed this movie immensely.

I would recommend 'Into Darkness' to both Trek-ys and non Trek-ys, for an awesome visual sensation (I viewed 'Into Darkness' in 2D, as I get a bit motion sick with the 3D.  2D had plenty of effects; I am not sure how much 3D would have added to the experience).

I hope that the third installment (fingers crossed ... I am ready for more) has more empathy with characterisation and deals more with the 'exploration of the Universe', as Kirk pledges in his concluding Captains oath.  

Eating my way through winter, the Vata Dosha way.

Brrr; it's winter-like in Melbourne - although it is not officially winter.  The first day of winter is June 1, but it is so cold, rainy and miserable already that it feels like winter came too early.

The best thing about winter is being able to eat for my dosha.  

For those not familar with this term, Ayurvedic medicine believes there are three energies circulating the body and governing physiological activity. 

Everyone has a preferred or dominant dosha (in combination with the other doshas).   There are three main types; Vata, Pitta and Kapha.   I have a Vata dosha with a smattering of Pitta.

According to Deepak Chopra's website:  Vata dosha ...

"Physical Characteristics: Those with a predominance of Vata dosha usually have a thin, light frame and excellent agility. Their energy comes in bursts, and they are likely to experience sudden bouts of fatigue. Vatas typically have dry skin and hair and cold hands and feet. They sleep lightly and their digestion can be sensitive. When the Vata dosha becomes imbalanced, it manifests in the body as weight loss, constipation, hypertension, arthritis, weakness, restlessness, and digestive challenges.

Emotional Characteristics: Vatas love excitement and new experiences. They are quick to anger but also to forgive. When Vatas are in balance, they are energetic, creative, and flexible. They also take initiative and are lively conversationalists. When unbalanced, they are prone to worry and anxiousness and often suffer from insomnia. When they feel overwhelmed or stressed, their response is, “What did I do wrong?”

Bizarrely, the qualities of Vata mean that I have to do the opposite to balance them.  For example, the Vata qualities are: 

 Cold, light, dry, irregular, rough, moving, quick, changeable.

So, to balance them I need to stay warm, eat heavy moist foods, have a regular routine in my life, try to stay calm and serene and take things easy.  

As long as Vata is in balance, I will be lively and enthusiastic, with a healthy body.

Everyone has a bit of Vata in them, which is why we all sometimes burn ourselves out and need to rest and get our selves 'right again'.  

"Balancing Vata

Excessive stress in your life leads your Vata force to become imbalanced, your activity will start to feel out of control. 

Your mind may race, contributing to anxiety and insomnia. You may start skipping meals, resulting in unintended weight loss, and your digestion may become irregular. 

• To balance Vata, make choices that bring warmth, stability, and consistency to your life. Try to get to bed before 10pm, awaken by 6am, and eat your meals at regular times.
• Avoid becoming chilled and keep your head covered when the weather is cold.
• Light exercise that enhance balance and flexibility is best for a Vata body type. Take care not to push yourself too far and exceed the limits of your energy. 
• Favor soothing, calming music.

Vata-Balancing Foods

To balance your dominant dosha you should:

• Eat larger quantities, but don’t overeat.
• All sweeteners pacify Vata and may be taken in moderation.
• Fats and oils are beneficial in the digestive system.
• Low-fat dairy products are recommended. 
• Rice and wheat are the best grains for balancing Vata. 
• Sweet, heavy fruits such as: bananas, avocados, mangos, apricots, plums, berries, coconut, figs, grapefruit, orange, lemon, melons, papaya, peaches, pineapples, rhubarb, kiwi, dates, nectarines and dried fruits.
• Eat fewer fruits such as apples, cranberries, pears, and pomegranates. To ease digestion, fruits are best eaten lightly cooked or sautéed or eaten alone.
• Cooked vegetables are best.  
• All varieties of nuts are recommended.
• Beans can aggravate Vata, with the exception of tofu, lentils and mung bean."

So, my winter dosha balancers include:

Porridge, with honey, banana, crushed nuts and a dollop of Greek yoghurt (sometimes I microwave a handful of frozen mixed berries instead of banana)

Toast and avocado, or cream cheese or sardines or peanut butter

Veges, prepared any way (usually stir fried) with a sprinkle of lemon-infused olive oil and a dollop of tahini

Lentil and vege soups or casseroles (the thicker the better) with a sprinkle of lemon-infused olive oil

Rice soup (any vege soup with left over rice added) with a sprinkle of lemon-infused olive oil (yup, I love my olive oil!)

Lots of hot water and lemon juice

Real dark chocolate (I posted previously about my favorite - a New Zealand brand 'Whittikers' Dark Ghana ... dairy free dark choc - not too bitter not too sweet ... just right.)

(To find your dosha combination take the test on the link above.  It is interesting to find out that the way your preferences for eating and living are actually the correct thing for your body.)

How would you eat to balance Kapha? Since their qualities are the opposite of Vata; heavy, slow, steady, solid, cold, soft, oily, they need to eat the opposite of the Vata. Lots of light fruits, salads, low oil stir fries, very little dairy, green juice fasting, few sweets.  Also, they would need excitement in their lives, lots of change and an erratic routine.  

Pitta qualities?  Hot, light, intense, penetrating, sharp, acidic. Those with a predominance of Pitta have a fiery nature in both body and mind. Eat cooling foods like sweet fruits such as melons, cucumbers,  stay away from honey, but moderate sugar is ok, laugh a lot, and balance exercise with rest. 

All hail the Hoodoo Gurus!!! Dig It Up!!!!

In a blast from the past, I got to relive some of my inglorious uni days (with one of my BFF) when I went to the DIG IT UP extravaganza on ANZAC day this year.

The Melbourne Program for Dig It Up!

Firstly, I insisted on seeing the magical Ron Pino (ex Died Pretty) with his gorgeous emotive voice and erratic hand and arm movements.  His set was not long enough (never is).

Then, BFF and I wriggled our way to the front of a heaving, pulsing, mosh pitting hoard of youngish to middle-aged groovers (and the not so groovy) to be front row for three of the best fun bands.

It was all happening, with the Flaming Groovies (Chris, Cyril and George) providing lots of shimmy-ing and shaking .  BFF insisted that Cyril's Beatle-esque bowl-cut was a wig because she had a photo of him from the 90's where he was very receding (and she emailed it to me too .. so Cyril, your secret is out!). 

Chris - Flaming Groovies                                                                                             George - Flaming Groovies

 Cyril - Flaming Groovies - note the bowl-cut

Ahhhhh - Cyril is second in the line - note the hair line!

Flaming Groovies Melbourne Set List

Then, a musical masterpiece with the Blue Oyster Cult - all musical maestros and some serious heavy rock.   They were better than I remember them, and I remember them to be amazing! It was their first ever time in Australia.

I got a copy of their set list from the gig from a lovely roadie.  Treasure! 

Then - the Hoodoo Gurus! who played the entire Mars Needs Guitars album plus extras.  BFF was beside herself with excitement - being so near (but still so far) from the sexy Brad Sheppard.   He still had the kicks, splits and pelvic guitar playing going - and he must be over 50!  He actually still looks pretty good!  BFF got the set list from the Hoodoos (thank you again roadie) and that made her day.  

(Although the Hoodoo Gurus were good fun; playing straight after the Blue Oyster Cult you couldn't help but compare the musical genius of the Cult to the more basic music of the Gurus! Sorry guys - but still love ya!)

With ears ringing and sore hamstrings from bopping on the spot (shhhhh .... and a few too many apple ciders too)  we found our way to public transport and home to bed.

45 Things I Know at 45 (That I Didn't Know at 25) by Liz Sanders

Trawling through some blogs I came across this check list of things we learn by the time we get older (unless we are the person in # 13, 15, 22 who wouldn't care anyway).

My favs?  #3, 12 (of course), 14, 37, 42 and 45.

1. It’s not all about you.
2. Life is a boomerang. What you put out there eventually comes back to you.
3. You’re only as bad-ass as you allow yourself to be. Stop waiting for permission.
4. Living someone else’s dream will surely kill your chance of living yours. Don’t do it.
5. Dimming your light to make others feel more comfortable doesn’t serve you. Or them.
6. Don’t worry so much about what other people think about you. They’re usually thinking about themselves, anyway.
7. Feelings are temporary and always changing. Wait 24 hours before you make the call or hit “send.”
8. Fast friendships are usually fleeting. Lifelong friendships take years to build.
9. People and relationships are in our lives for a reason. Either a lesson or a blessing.
10. Another person will never complete you. Only you can do that.
11. Boyfriends and husbands are lovely. Close girlfriends are gold.
12. Chocolate makes everything better.
13. Minimize or eliminate time with people who drain you. Instead, spend time with those who love, support and care for you.
14. You must use your voice, speak up and speak out. No one will do it for you.
15. You’ll never change a narcissist or a hater, so direct your energy elsewhere.
16. People do things for their reasons, not yours. Don’t take it personally. (Thanks, Dad.)
17. Stop comparing yourself to others. It’s more than ok to be an original. In fact, it’s preferable.
18. No amount of designer handbags or shoes is going to make you happy in the long run.
19. The same goes for chocolate chip cookies.
20. Get over yourself. The next time you find yourself having a pity party, ask, “how can I be of service to someone in need?”
21. Use the good china.
22. Never trust anyone who is unkind to animals. Or rude to the waiter.
23. Good skin is one part genetics and two parts preventative care, so wear sunscreen. Daily.
24. If diets worked, we wouldn’t have an obesity epidemic. Focus on your health and you’ll never have to worry about your weight.
25. Get some physical exercise every day. See #24.
26. Your mind and body are the same: what you put in is what comes out.
27. Nobody really loves you for the size of your waistline.
28. Worrying about something that might happen is wasted energy.
29. Black and white is an illusion. Life is gray.
30. Forgiveness is hard work, but it’s the only path to peace.
31. Go within. Your spiritual muscles need exercise as much as your physical ones do.
32. You can’t completely eliminate fear, but you can learn to manage it.
33. 95% of the time, fear is a sign post for growth.
34. The joy of mastery resides on the other side of fear.
35. It hurts more NOT to do it.
36. Money likes to be paid attention to. If you’re not paying attention, it will wreak havoc in your life.
37. A family isn’t just something you’re born into, it’s something you create.
38. Don’t just take their word for it. Question authority, do your research and know your rights.
39. Don’t believe everything you think.
40. Small minds focus on problems. Big thinkers focus on solutions.
41. Doing epic shit is hard work.
42. It’s easy to be mediocre. Extraordinary takes balls.
43. 98% of people are on the path of least resistance. Forging your own path is revolutionary.
44. You don’t know until you know.
45. Love is the answer.

Being in hospitality is HARD WORK!!!

If you have been following my story so far this year, you will know that I am undergoing changes in careers/jobs/focus etc.

Interesting sociological stuff.  A psych could make a fortune out of me - another story ..... 

I recently completed my Cert 3 in Hospitality (which gives you all the Government qualifications etc that you need).  

Part of the certificate involved work experience in a (to be un-named) pub in Frankston (any Victorian will have heard more about the Frankston area than they want to!). 

My first shift was in the gaming room ... an eye opening and very sad and depressing place - especially to see how busy it was at 10.30am; how many alcoholic drinks were being consumed, and how much money was being fed to the one arm bandits.  
The ladies who work there full time were fantastic - but resigned to the job they had ... to make it as pleasant as they could for the patrons.  This was definitely not what I signed up for.

Second shift was in the night club on a Thursday night.  Music was good, but I really must be showing my age ... I have no idea how you are supposed to hear anything let alone a shouted drink order.  The other bar people were WAY COOLER than I was (waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy coooooooooooolllllllllleeeeeeerrrrrrrrr) and I was gob smacked by the number of  'shots' the 'customers' consumed .... jager bombs, skittle bombs, wet 'pussies' they were downing.

(Ha; that takes me back to the 'sex on the beach', 'slippery nipple', slow screw.........etc etc cocktail days).

 Am I really so old that I am surprised - a Thursday night, spending over $100 - $150 dollars on alcohol - and either on work assistance or (heaven forbid) still at high school (true!)?

I even met two of my ex-students from my dark and distant teaching days ... and they showed me pictures of their kids.  These two young ladies were 22 years old, on a night out together - neither were married or partnered - and one of them had a child of  7 years old. Yup - she was 15 - I wondered why she left school.

When I got home, ears ringing, I decided that the night club scene wasn't for me either.  All I really wanted was a nice quite bar or RSL!

Then a trial at a restaurant close to home .... bingo I hit the jack pot.  Yes busy, busy, busy, but friendly and generally nice customers with good tips.  Shifts will be casual but - hey - this is more my comfort zone.

I think more than anything the gaming room will haunt me for a while.  

The night club?  Some of the patrons will grow up and do something with their lives (all my mob of boozy rage-mates did!). Sadly, some will progress to the gaming room and fade away.