Memories

['Thanks for the memories, Fall Out Boy. Or is that Thnks fr th Mmrs?]

The other day I got the shock of my life when as I was cleaning up my room I found an old home video (with no label on it other than a video camera tag on it).

No, it wasn't a video of my parents having sex or anything like that, it was a Christmas video from 10 years ago.

You might ask "what is so shocking about that"? Since the last century our family group has receeded due to divorce and death and in some cases, selfishness.

When it comes to a genuine big family Christmas: that was one of, if not, the last.

On the ABC and SBS when they show old footage they have a warning for Aboriginal viewers that people who have passed on may appear on the screen.

Since this was a home video it didn't have that warning, so there before me lay the images of ghosts.

And yes, I was scared of these ghosts that lurked in the back of my mind for days to come.

Maybe I'm more Aboriginal than I thought perhaps?

But what I wonder is what happens to the memories of these people: once they have left our life one way or another.

Why do these memories fade? Is it that we choose to forget bacause of what happens that ceases for them to be in our life? Does our brain only hold enough memories, meaning that we will lose the cherished moments of the past?

And when they do come back to the front of the mind - why do they hold our heart and mind hostage in such a way?

I know one thing - I won't be watching that video for a while now.

Maybe another ten years.

Un-Australian: Her name is Kidman

[Now for a game of suck and blow]

Nicole Kidman. A few years ago she was everyone's favourite "Our Nic". She was the poor unfortunate woman who had left a strange marriage filled with "alternative" religion and alleged impotence.

Recently, she came out and said that she wants to live in Nashville in the US with her Australian husband and that she wants her daughter to have an American accent. That's a proud a dinky di Australian for ya.

Now, after a string of box office flops, including the mixed reviews from Australia (which I am yet to see myself) she has stooped so low "play" the didgeridoo on German television.

My non-Australian readers (and maybe even some Australian readers) might not know that the didgeridoo is a sacred Aboriginal religious symbol.

Some tribes believe that the didgeridoo should only be played by men and if that is even touched by women, bad things can happen including death. (Not that I'm advocating death or anything - I'm just saying these are their beliefs)

At one stage in my life I felt sorry for Kidman, being in a marriage with a wack job, but now I (as many others do) can only feel that Kidman herself is becoming strange.

With those very slight shoulders and a husband who has had a chequered past, I can only hope that she will be able to weather the storm of controversy over the string of bad movies, the ignorance of indigenous Australians' beliefs (this after shooting one of the most expensive movies made in this country, partly in the outback amongst Aboriginals!), as well as the whole theory that Americans are better than Australians.

She should be proud of who she is, her heritage. Without Australia (the country, and quite likely - the movie) she would not be where she is now - being able to afford such luxuries. She should apologise to the indigenous people who she has offended. She should apologise to the Australians she has offended.

We spent over one hundred million dollars to put her name up in lights - she should be thankful.

I tell you what is sad?

[Droopy was a poor sad old dog]

...it's people who bash people verbally. Calling them names, etc.

In my day (which is still today) people had a basic respect for everyone.

Some people say that respect needs to be earnt. I say that it is a courtesy.

What I can't stand is people who swear and taunt people when there are thousands of other words in the English language.

I am a kind person who treats people with respect. I like things to be fair and people to be fair back as well.

What I can't stand is self rightgeous people who think that they are king shit and that I am below them and should do all they demand and get nothing for it.

My grandmother may have been a slave, but that doesn't make me any less a person and doesn't make me a slave also.

The Aboriginals have had the vote for some time now, we are full citizens of this great country and have been accepted as Australians (despite being the first Australians).

It's time for people who have this complex, to hide behind anonynimity and yell and abuse people and then when they see them in real life, to start and think about who they are hurting.

Life is short. Life can be tough. Life is hard enough without belittling others.

Let's all get along. I know I've had enough shit in my life without having more.