"The climate is important, but so are our jobs and growth" <- PM

Two great things in this morning's Australian:

on the Opinion page, the 'Cut&Paste' section had a headline "The Climate is important, but so are our jobs and growth". A John Howard (who else!) speech in Brissie yesterday. And that's it in a horrid little nutshell, I think it really captures the essence of Howardism perfectly. I used to marvel when I first came back to Australia at the depth of feeling among the Howard-haters but now I completely get it. And of course the "Outstanding Broadcaster" thing was a disgrace, but not a surprise. What was a bit surprising, however, was that Mr Rudd went along. Can you imagine Paul Keating doing that?

The other one was a throwback, p7 "Journalist pulled Gun". Two very well-lubricated jounalists, 515am outside a pub in Surry Hills. One called the other a "poofter", and there was this priceless bit of dialogue "just come outside you f..cking c...". Then a gun was produced. Marvellous.

ATMs

When you go to an ATM, do you get a receipt? I don't, and I'm trying to think why anyone would. I've seen people get a printed receipt - or maybe a balance statement - and put it in their wallet. I can almost understand why someone would do that. (But still - why not look it up online? Why not just remember your balance? When do you clean these out of your wallet? Do you ever actually look at them again ever?)

But most people who get receipts look at them quickly, then stuff them in the little receipt disposal thing, the one that's usually overflowing. Does this make sense? The ATM's just told you on its little screen that you've just taken out $200, and that your balance is $672.34 or whatever.

I can't help myself

I was at a presentation today given by some lawyers, to do with some fairly obscure aspects of law relating to large construction contracts (yes, I know you probably think my life is impossibly glamorous, but I do have a real job and everything). In the middle of this presentation they introduced a term which gave me the giggles so much that I had to immediately send an alert to some friends. The term? "Relief Event"

Dialogue

This is pretty-much verbatim, a discussion I had with my PA today. I got back from a meeting, she said:

PA(ruefully): I did something very bad
Me: How bad, what was it?
PA: Someone called for you and I've completely forgotten who it was..
Me: Anything at all..?
PA: He was from Melbourne, and he seemed to know you well, and I think his name was Andrew.. he sounded friendly
Me (hesitantly): Did he sound nice
PA: Yes
Me: Oh, I think I might know who that is. I have a friend in Melbourne and he's very nice and very friendly.
PA: Oh, what's his last name?
Me (strange and guilty pause): Err... I don't know

FM

I was driving around Melbourne yesterday, and heard someone on FOX FM (it wasn't my choice!) use the word 'awesome', then, in the following sentence, describe someone as being a 'foxy lady'. I don't think it was ironic.

Everyone's got a horrible secret, mine's that usually when I'm driving around Melbourne I listen to GOLD FM.

Keating

There was a fabulous Keating interview on the radio the other day. I paid even more attention than usual because I'm off to see 'Keating' (the musical) next week. I must stress that I'm not an habitue of musical theatre, but I heard this one is great, and I do miss the former PM. Anyway, he described the current PM as a 'desscicated coconut', and in true Keating fashion it was meant with pure venom. I miss that. He also called the Treasurer 'all tip, no iceberg'. Magic darts!

You probably wonder why I have a thing about korean food and korean culture. This might explain some of it...