Mail, Australia Day and Kezza's birthday

Mail

I got mail today!!!! Yayyyy!!! Thankyou Jules and Meg! I am not sure why your parcels took a mere two weeks to get here, but I don’t care. (Let’s see if Kristy’s and Amanda’s turn up. Hmm.)

Australia Day

While I love my country, appreciate any public holiday (although I’m working this year) and do actually think Australia is the best place in the world, I’m uncomfortable with Australia Day, because it is really off to celebrate our nation by commemorating the invasion of Australia. I had a particularly uncomfortable moment last year on the plane between Sydney and Canberra. Picture this: me, two Americans and an Aboriginal guy (about my age) sharing a row of seats. The Americans are interested in us both because we are Australian and both from Canberra, where they’re headed for a conference. Because it’s Australia Day, they want confirmation of what it is and what we do to celebrate. I look awkwardly at the poor Aboriginal guy, who is looking stony-faced, and I say ‘Well it’s kind of a celebration of the invasion of Australia. It *is* our national day but Aboriginal people tend not to think it’s so great.’ Because, what do you say? It *is* our national day, but man, it’s insulting to Aboriginal people, and it’s embarrassing for those of us who think we should have done something about this by now.

This Australia Day, I love that Mick Dodson got Australian of the Year, and good on him for deciding to accept the award and take the opportunity to point out (yet again) that a more appropriate date could be found.

Unfortunately, since the 26th of January is so conveniently situated for a nice public holiday (around the last week of the school holidays), I don’t think it’s gonna change any time soon.

Also – woe – I’m missing the Hottest 100, completely. Last year I was on the plane back from South Korea for part of it, but I still made it for the end of the Hottest 100 in the afternoon, damn it, despite the jet lag! Guess I’ll have to read the list online tomorrow.

Kerry’s birthday

Australia Day always makes me think of my friend Kerry, because it’s her birthday. Kezza and I (yes I called her Kezza) were in primary school and high school together, that is until her family moved to Mackay when she was in year 9 and I was in year 10.

I lost contact with her some time around 2000-2001, it was early uni for me, I can’t remember when. I’ve tried to find her or her other family members every now and then, with no success.

I hope that she’s ok wherever she is, and that I find her again some time.