....out...after...history....hugs

[jawnbc]

Word is getting out that I’m leaving the uni. I’m sticking to the official version--being closer to Ma--though I also almost compulsively want to add “and I can no longer abide paying taxes rates to a régime that I loathe. And that loathes me. Instead I act like a grownup and mind my manners. So sue me: I got all used to living in a genuine social democracy, with a reasonably strong economy, excellent health care system and iron-clad, constitutionally guaranteed rights, freedoms and responsibilities. Call me vapid.

After being unwell for a fortnight, it’s good to be getting my groove back on with querrelle. We continued to sleep and snuggle together throughout, but we didn’t have decent nookie for over a week. My libido was low, but desire for him never is. Thankfully we’re back to sex-so-good-it-makes-you-grin-like-an-eejit. So sue me: I was a serial bachelor for nearly a decade, unwilling to settle for a love-and-respect partnership. Call me naïve.

Eurovision 2005 is history, but the memory lingers. A number of sites have had Helena Paparizou’s (Greece) winning performance available as a video download, but I’ve been holding out for My Number Two, Chiara (Malta). And I finally found it! Watching it streamed live over the net at 05h15 I sobbed. Watching on TV 14 hours later, I sobbed. Tonite, I merely sniffled. In a contest where pretty much everyone goes for some sort of gimmick to make their performance memorable, Chiara just sang the shit out of a song she wrote herself--you go girl! Call me lame, but I love me my talented big-assed women who are awesome singers.

For all sorts of reasons I’d love to give a good hug to aadroma, susandennis, gorkabear and zurcherart. They’re all good people. Good people are good.

Comments

[greekcub.livejournal.com]

I'm still amazed at the crap I get about leaving the US. I have no relatives so I stick to my story about not wanting to wait around for the gay concentration camps

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

I think its absolutely imperative that you let people know the real reason why you are choosing to leave Australia,and going back to a country that offers you "iron-clad, constitutionally guaranteed rights, freedoms and responsibilities".
If you dont,people here will never begin to understand that gay people are not afforded the same rights as everyone else and that Australia is not the liberal-minded,vastly tolerant, society that it likes to think it is.
People here like to think that because we have a gay mardi gras,cafe lattes and droi woit woin that we are at the pinnacle of social progress in the world.

[susandennis]

Thank you. You can live in whatever country you want to as long as you stay in LJ country!

[foresterx.livejournal.com]

geee where u find that stuff - have to agree she did give a great performace, dont suppose u have the link for the greek performance (yeah i am a lazy sod)

When I watch the doco on homosexual history in Australia last week, I think they made a reasonably good point in that the people often are far more accepting and supportive of the issues before the government is, but I think the government would change more quicker if those people who were supportive were just as vocal than the minority that rasies the fuss.

[jawnbc]

http://www.keithm.utvinternet.ie/Greece05Live.wmv

Sad thing is, Australia once led the world in queer rights, especially immigration issues. It's amazing how quickly things change in a decade.

And I thought there was more of a disconnect between the Australian people and their government....until last year's election. They've given Howard more power via the Senate.

[jawnbc]

I'll be sure to include the susandennis™ seal of approval on any paperwork I submit

[zurcherart.livejournal.com]

Oh shucks. You made me misty. And it was before I re-watched Malta. Thanks man.

[foresterx.livejournal.com]

I must admit I could not believe we did that, but with the way the senate vote system works it is very unpredicatable result which often favours the conservative parties and independants.

I am a firm believer that no party should ever control the senate

And for the record I was very unimpressed labour voted with the government on gay marriage, which was only done becuase a election was coming up.

[foresterx.livejournal.com]

p.s. thanks for the link stud!

[jawnbc]

Well it's difficult, because I get so snarky about it--snarky to the point of being a bore or an asshole. I do offer some sense of why we're leaving to some folks, but I must say very few Australians I've met--gay or not--seem terribly concerned about justice issues. They're not against justice, and agree when examples are pointed out, but other issues--economics and property ownership/interest rates--seem much more important.

Not you of course. You are the rare combination (indeed!) of hawt and politically awesome. In fact, we may be the two hawtest socialists in the world. Except maybe for Jack Layton:

[jawnbc]

I have found that Americans are so brainwashed to think that the US--in every respect, without exception--is the best place in the world, most react to Americans moving away from the US as eejits, woosies, or traitors.

[jawnbc]

;)

[aadroma.livejournal.com]

Nena, thank you. I could so use a hug from you right now. (HUG)

Ah, the memories of EV2005 -- I'll still remember how excited I was about a forth place win. :: laugh ::

though I also almost compulsively want to add...
... and you don't cuz ... ?

[jawnbc]

I'm Canadian, we're polite.

[jawnbc]

Sydney Uni here in Australia. Moving back to BC--woo hoo!

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

Well,you are in the de-politicized zone(Sydney)where all ANYONE cares about nowadays is interest rates and property values.It's sad,it's not the city I grew up in,and you'll be glad you left.
....And its true,we are hawt,and we should get it awn.

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

Now I can say that two of my favourite Angels went to Sydney Uni:
Shelley Hack,and You!

[jawnbc]

Shelly Hack isn't Ozzie is she? And I ain't never gone here gurlfriend I is a lecturer!

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

Er,no Shelley's American,and an ex Charlies Angel,and I know youre a lecturer.
....And hawt too.

[carharttmo.livejournal.com]

Wow a lot of changes going on. Glad you are making the choices that are right for you and your man! That's important! (And you will be closer!)

Glad your feeling better - always sucks to be out of things with a cold and not feeling 100%! After sick sex = good times!

Hugs!

[b12x12.livejournal.com]

We considered going to Australia, since it and Canada are the only two countries that allow same-sex couples to immigrate as couples and my partner wouldn't qualify on its own... but, after looking over the process, it looked like Australia just wanted our money - that's why they didn't care about our sexuality.

[jawnbc]

Australian same-sex immigration led the world in the early 90s, but has receded a bit since then. Since your partner is Indonesian, he'll very much be able to become genuinely and legitimately Canadian if he so wishes (while remaining Indonesian)--something much less common for any migrants to Australian, let alone non-Anglo ones.

You made the right choice.... :)