Christmas Plans 2009

The original idea had been to go to Utah to spend it with Martin, Stacie and offspring but a heavy schedule at work means that it really isn't do-able in the current situation :( We invited them to come spend it with us but Martin is more or less in the same situation. :( Lousy US work-freak culture. News flash: World doesn't go to hell in a hand basket if you have more than 10 days holiday a year.

Anyway, at least I have a back-up brother nearby -- sorry Donovan, you know you are really further up my speed dial than Martin anyway. :) So we'll do our usual fried ham, pineapple and eggs breakfast with the Christmas story and present openings and then we'll head down to the beach where Donovan has his hangout. A barbecue and beach on Christmas Day should almost convince us we are back in Australia. And while the weather might not be quite the same, chances are it'll be closer than Utah. Stay warm Mart and Stacie and we'll see you in April!

On How We Connect Today

If an average person on the subway turns to you, like an ancient mariner,
and starts telling you her tale, you turn away or nod and hope she stops,
not just because you fear she might be crazy. If she tells her tale on camera, you might listen. Watching strangers on television, even responding to them from a studio audience, we're disengaged -- voyeurs collaborating with exhibitionists in rituals of sham community. Never have so many known so much about people for whom they cared so little.
-- Wendy Kaminer commenting on testimonial television in I'm Dysfunctional, You're Dysfunctional (1992).