To Make a Dadaist Poem

Take a newspaper.
Take some scissors.
Choose from this paper an article of the length you want to make your poem.
Cut out the article.
Next carefully cut out each of the words that makes up this article and put them all in a bag.
Shake gently.
Next take out each cutting one after the other.
Copy conscientiously in the order in which they left the bag.
The poem will resemble you.
And there you are - an infinitely original author of charming sensibility, even though unappreciated by the vulgar herd.

from Gale, M. Dada & Surrealism. 1997. Phaidon Press Limited

HaPPY BIrthDAy

Had such a great birthday. Quarter of a century!
Went to the massive rally against the IR reforms.
Oh! Before that - had a truly wonderful breakky at Ici in Fitz with girls and baby Ot.
Protest was AMAZING.
Twas a great day.... Saw Amin by surprise, who used to be in Maribyrnong with Enso. I posted about his release. Lovely guy.
Anyways. Went to Animal Orchestra in the arvo so Em and Heaf could get food. Then went to Smith Street and found a GREAT! Red bikini!
In the eve had dinner at The Standard. Perfect. Such a crew. Funny, funny. So many gifts. Totally spoilt rotten.

Birthday celebrations are still being stretched out - got a cute card today in the mail and of course haven't seen Enso yet which will be the best present!

ExHAUSTED today. My office moved. It's all open plan and anarchic. Not sure what the blog will do now that everyone can see that I'm not really working.

Who's got a BA?

Me! Well, nearly! I handed in my last piece of assessment on Friday. It was a great feeling. I really felt free as a bird all weekend. I had such a great feeling of peace.

I am safe

I am safe, but unable to be contacted for the time being.
Today the federal Government introduced the much spoken about Anti-terror legislation. The legislation outlines draconian new laws that undermine the values they are supposed to protect. These new laws contain some serious inroads into long-standing human rights protections, particularly in relation to the new regimes of control orders and preventative detention orders. Of particular concern are the provisions relating to: - 14 day detention without charge; - house arrest for 12 months or more; - detention of children between the ages of 16 and 18; - the lack of any meaningful review by a court; - the erosion of the right to the presumption of innocence and a proper legal defence; - the erosion of the right to freedom of speech.
• I am safe, but unable to be contacted for the time being
Voice mail campaign. This may become unofficial code for saying the words the new laws dare not allow to be uttered – “I am being held in secret police detention without charge”. Record the message: "I am safe, but unable to be contacted for the time being.... please oppose the introduction of the new anti-terrorism laws visit www.amnesty.org.au for more information" onto your mobile phone, home and work voicemail. Encourage your friends to do so as well.
• I am safe, but unable to be contacted for the time being
Email campaign. This may become unofficial code for saying the words the new laws dare not allow to be uttered – “I am being held in secret police detention without charge”. Set your auto-reply message on your email program to say: "I am safe, but unable to be contacted for the time being.... please oppose the introduction of the new anti-terrorism laws visit www.amnesty.org.au for more information" Encourage your friends to do so as well.

Abyss

“Man looks in the abyss, there's nothing staring back at him. At that moment, man finds his character. And that is what keeps him out of the abyss.”

Ever had that feeling? I know I have. Can remember so well standing in a phone box crying in California when I realised there was nothing there.