Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Single living 'creates eco woes'

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Single living 'creates eco woes': "The packaging industry feels aggrieved it is being forced to improve its environmental performance while the government shies away from the root factors of climate change: lifestyles and a growing economy. "

Monday, December 22, 2003

It's greed, not ideology, that rules the White House

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | It's greed, not ideology, that rules the White House: "Those looking for ideology in the White House should consider this: for the men who rule our world, rules are for other people. The powerful feed ideology to the masses like fast food while they dine on that most rarefied delicacy: impunity."

Monday, December 15, 2003

InfoWorld: Tough talks to line the way to Tunis Net meeting: December 15, 2003: By : Platforms

InfoWorld: Tough talks to line the way to Tunis Net meeting: December 15, 2003: By : Platforms: "If the run-up talks to the world's first global Net summit in Geneva last week were tough, those to take place over the next two years ahead of the 2005 follow-up summit in Tunis,Tunisia, could be a whole lot tougher. Plenty of money and power are at stake. "

Monday, December 01, 2003

City Sight

I stood at the roadside across from Central station, intent on catching a cab to the Post Office in Surry Hills, where a mystery parcel awaited collection. My thoughts were filled with what I had to do before going out that evening.

I was only peripherally aware of the vehicle that stopped by me. Time slowed down as the passenger spat at me through his open window. The ball of saliva seemed suspended in mid air before landing at my feet: bubbles of expelled air suspended in glistening pool of bodily fluid.

The man laughed, locking eyes with me before turning to the driver whom I didn't register.

As quickly as it had arrived, the flat-bed truck re-entered the Sydney afternoon traffic and was gone.

City Sight

Stepping onto the train at Central, I felt someone looking at me. Casting my eyes around the graffiti decorated metal carriage, I found my silent watcher.

A little Asian girl was sitting on the seat at the foot of the stairs leading to the lower compartment. She must have been about 3 or 4 years old. Without fear or curiosity she regarded me as our eyes locked. In her hand she held a little paper bag. As I watched, her eyelids began to close, snap open and then slowly close once more. Within a minute she was asleep.

Beside her, obscured by the compartment's bulkhead, was her mother. The little girls head fell back as sleep consumed her, mother's hand reached over and slowly stroked the daughter's face. The disembodied hand tenderly moved the girls head into a comfortable position before reaching around her. Mother's face came into view and she planted a loving kiss on the girls forehead.

As I left the train at Wynyard station I took one last look at the peaceful face and the nurturing arm.