Tim Goldsmith

Words cannot describe the horror one feels when browsing Facebook, only to have your eyes assailed by pictures of your cousin wearing only a fluorescent green “mankini” (as made famous by our good friend Borat). This was part of the manhood ritual known as the Bucks day (Or “Stags party” if you are one of our American friends). What exactly is the point of removing a guy’s clothes & then trying to remove any vestiges of dignity or maturity that a man might possess? Of course, I don’t blame Nick. I rest assured that the clothing, the activities & the indignities were all envisaged & supplied by his “best men.” I’ve been thinking…. Is it an attempt to make the metamorphosis more apparent. One week he is protozoic, the next week he is an advanced life form? Or is it just, as the classics say, “his last taste of freedom”? (If that were the case, why would so many bucks days be a matter of a groom having things done TO him rather than BY him?) Either way, it did make for some interesting photos. I am sure a psychologist will have a field day with the memories I am trying to repress, having looked at them, 10 years from now. Meanwhile, I need to clear my mind of such stuff… It’s nice to know that I can focus on Saturday. The day when all those memories are erased in a whirl of white silk (or insert your girly bridal gown fabric name here) and black suit. Failing that, I have SMBC Graduation to focus on on Sunday… Failing that, here are a couple of serene pictures I took last weekend, when I helped out with the kids programme at my mate Dan’s church camp. “Ahhh the Serenity.” Water gently lapping, a boat or two on the lake, and a giant power station whirring away in the distance…. peace, perfect peace! I fish-eyed view of the world at dusk.

Once upon a time I might have balked at the idea. “Why should I comment on their elections? They don’t even know who our Prime Minister is!” But, of course, that is very ungracious. One has to acknowledge that we are a tiny country of 21-odd million on the “arse end of the world” (to quote a former prime minister, Paul Keating), while they, like it or lump it, are still the most powerful nation in the world & the biggest economic nation. So, whether we have Kevin Rudd, Malcolm Turnbull, or even the fat kid from “Hey Dad” as the Prime Minister it doesn’t really change their world, but I think there could be some big changes in ours. So… on to my comments. I am happy that Barack got in. I am sure that he has a lot to offer, but I can’t help but wonder how much of our feelings are swayed by media hype. Could any Australian really outline what any of his policies are? Could we outline McCains? Maybe I am getting all “conspiracy theory” in my old age, but I can’t help but feel that lots of society get manipulated. Like J-Moff noted, there seems to be a real air where you are uncool, or out of touch if you voted for or were pro-McCain. Whether or not you like the guy, I hope everyone respects his speech after defeat. He may not be the “Cool” choice, but I respect a man who just loses the biggest moment of his life & then openly embraces the new president elect & calls the nation to get behind him & make America great. Meanwhile, I think the next 4 years should be an interesting time. Has America voted in the best man for the job, or have they voted the most charismatic man? I guess we’ll find out….