41 Comments
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John Birmingham's avatar

I am grateful to discover this evening that Dune Pt2 is available to watch on Netflix and that Panadeine Forte can amplify the effects of beer.

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Brad Griffin's avatar

Yes. Yes it does enhance...everything

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The Lighthousekeeper's Muse's avatar

As one also prone to potential skin cancers (fuck this Southern Hemisphere sun!) I wish you well for your surgery and recovery. And as Lady McBeth said "Out, out damn spot!"

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Philip Fitzpatrick's avatar

I’m rapidly ticking along towards the big four score years. There’s nothing smooth about the passage of time, it especially speeds up after you reach a certain age. And contrary to what I was told as a youngster that age brings wisdom I can report that that assumption is a lot of crap, with age comes confusion. I protested the war in Vietnam and spent an afternoon in the city watch house and emerged a pacifist. A couple of years later I read Peter Singer’s 'Animal Liberation' and became a vegetarian. Reflecting on those and other life changes I made and maintained I can report that they made absolutely no difference to the state of the world and the horrible cruelties and stupidity that accompany our existence. With that in mind, I’d suggest that ignoring what is going on around us and in our citadels of power is equally pointless. You may as well watch it, if only for its entertainment value. Take a break, as you are doing, but don’t stress about getting back into it. Nothing will have changed.

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John Birmingham's avatar

I read a really interesting piece in the last week about this very issue. I think it was by Tim Miller the former Republican strategist turned anti-Trump activist. He said that it might seem as if your personal resistance makes no difference at all and possibly it doesn’t, except to you. And that’s important.

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Philip Fitzpatrick's avatar

I'm not so sure about making a difference to me personally. I once thought that but now it just makes me grumpy. Oh to be a Donald Trump! I should have tried harder.

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jane turnbull's avatar

I am constantly bemused and bewildered at our repeated attempts to stab ourselves repeatedly in the back. My US cousins repeatedly express their envy of the fact that most of our social services, democratic processes and faith in our institutions still exist. We mustn’t let them be lost.

Have a relaxing and healthy holiday and new year, and thank you for your contribution to our enjoyment of life. xx

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Tess Parker's avatar

“ The best lack all conviction while the worst are right up in our fucking grill.” Painfully true. Enjoy the ferry ride.

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Adrian Tritschler's avatar

Here here! and definitely not there

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Ginger Cat's avatar

Hope the surgery goes well & the recovery is short.

I have a whole heap of cousins Over There, & Aus healthcare is one reason I'm glad to be here.

Have been reading some historical thrillers / mysteries lately, particularly SG (Shona) McLean's Damian Seeker series, set in Cromwellian England. Can recommend, particularly if you like something which inspires you to Google / NF books to read up on the real history.

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Ruth Moloney's avatar

Best Public Service Announcement this year

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Ruth Moloney's avatar

And I'm not saying that in January

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Larry's avatar

Good luck with that surgery.

WRT the problem(s) with Anthony, did you see him on Spick & Specks? Much better. Pity he can't turn the charisma on outside of that situation.

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Sharpie Snr's avatar

I hope it went well.

And wishing a speedy recovery.

Watched Felafel again a couple of weeks back, gotta love SBS, still haven't re read it though.

Kicked the news habit and been binge reading Griff Hosker's Viking series. Heaps of biffo with a decent plot arc. No splosions and no tech, unless you count a compass and an hour glass.

Anyway, hope Christmas is a good un and recovery a breeze.

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John Birmingham's avatar

I’ve been meaning to watch the Viking show

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Keith Jackson AM's avatar

Hope the surgery went well and the face retains its worn-in look. It'll be great having you ride shotgun as the orange-haired twerp takes the US further down the sewer, Albo holes Labor below the waterline and Dutto makes it impossible to vote LNP ever again.

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Peter Murphy's avatar

I think Albanese would do far better politically if he was not only aware of the advantages of here versus there, but ensured - by word and action - that here versus there would not converge. Alas, the dude appears utterly oblivious - he's allowing Bulk Billing to decline on his watch.

Another advantage of here versus there is that we have still have some modicum of public transport available for everyone (rather than just the poors). That would be a horror story in most of that place (NYC excepted) - bussing to surgery would be some gritty drama.

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Graham Clements's avatar

There's nothing that a bucket bong followed by a heap of fish fingers can't fix.

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Volker Janssen's avatar

Thanks for your company over the past year. You're giving me ideas: Instead of having my annual ear bleed from the same old Christmas songs, I'm going to listen to Ian Dury's "Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3" on repeat. Enjoy the time off and looking forward to more great readings in 2025.

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Greybeard's avatar

All the best and may your scars be invisible or deceptively cool.

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Mark Phillips's avatar

I had a skin check around mid year. All clear. Pity about my prostate , type-2 diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia (fancy word for high cholesterol), depression, anxiety, PTSD and possibly ADHD … Ah, he joys of growing old.

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