Talking about mansplaining…

… I ran into a charming mansplainer this week. I have just acquired a new computer for work, so I thought I should go best practice and get some surge protection, too. I dropped into my local hardware store a couple of weeks ago, and was shocked at the price difference between the top and [...]

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Is it just me …

… or is anyone else slightly frustrated by the assumptions which are just absolutely loaded into Panasonic’s current catchphrase, which is “The smartest guys in the room”? I know, I know, there are assumptions loaded into every statement, but these ones really get my goat. In particular, the following assumptions: – Panasonic’s stuff was conceived/designed/built/sold/etc [...]

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Does not compute

An article in the Sydney Morning Herald today states that a healthy diet will cost a “typical” welfare-dependent family of four approximately 40% of their average income. This, presumably, is a bad thing, because 40% is a significant proportion. A large chunk of the rest would probably be covering your accommodation. You’re not left with [...]

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Quickhit: And here I was, thinking the use of the term “deathfatz” was ironic…

Headline: “How lethal is your load?”. Subhead: “Even skinny people may be carrying a mother lode of toxic fat”. It’s the DEATHFATZ! FOR REALZ! The article seems incredibly confused over the issue of good fat vs bad fat. For example, the journo seems to have understood that fat in certain locations is a better indicator [...]

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Kurt Fearnley vs Jetstar

You might have heard the name Kurt Fearnley. He’s an Australian Paralympic athlete (marathon) who recently took on the Kokoda Track. He usually uses a wheelchair. The Kokoda Track is hardly wheelchair accessible. Fearnley walked on his arms. Fearnley took a Jetstar flight on his way home, and staff insisted that he check in his [...]

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How immoral to acknowledge to kids that yes, sex happens

This post is inspired to some extent by Wildly Parenthetical’s post on sex ed – although I’ve thought for a very long time that sex ed should be a normal part of education generally (from a young age). I don’t know the best way to integrate it (but then, I’m not a teacher). However, I [...]

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Heavy-handed? You don’t say!

I was watching the ABC news on TV, and saw the TV version of this story. In essence: NSW is trying to crack down on graffiti. One of the “initiatives” from the clever clogs in charge of this banana State is to impose higher penalties. For example, a quote from the TV version was something [...]

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Starting the day with horror and incredulity

There is a homeless guy who sits outside my building every morning. He says g’day to the people he recognises. I always say good morning. I’ve noticed other people sometimes stop to chat at length. He begs. Lately, he’s been getting a bit more insistent on the begging front. I hope he’s doing ok. This [...]

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