Hey everyone!
Just a quick note, as it is late and I have to be up in about four hours so I can get ready to go!
I am going to Tasmania for five days to do a bit of touring. More on that when I have time and get back! (Monday, April 30)
Cheers!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Virginia Tech
VIRGINIA TECH SHOOTINGS AND (A BIT) ON AUSTRALIAN FIREARM POLICY
The recent shootings at Virginia Tech have caused at of questions to be raised as to the prudency and wisdom of America’s gun laws, as well as questions regarding previous shootings, especially Columbine. Australian gun laws are very strict compared to those of the United States. Basically, it’s extremely difficult to get a gun; the general populous does not have access to firearms and most Australians do not view this as an infringement on their rights. As I understand it, Australians believe that their gun laws make Australia a safer place to live, decreasing crime rates and incidences of violent crimes, including murder and robbery. The overall safety of their nation is more important than their right to bear arms.
However, it is important to understand that the right to bear arms is NOT part of their constitution. The ability to purchase, own, and carry firearms is NOT an ingrained part of their culture, constitution and way of life, as it is in America. Despite all of the evidence supporting stricter gun laws in the States, the basic argument is that people are concerned that removing or limiting their 2nd Amendment rights will lead to restrictions of other rights. Whether this is the case, or if America truly has an addiction to violence and the need for control in the form of guns, is unclear.
According to my Calfiornian friend, if no one (with the exception of law enforcement and the military) had guns, it would be a good thing. Her opinions differs greatly from mine due largely to our cultural backgrounds. In Montana, guns are an ingrained part of our heritage and lifestyle. Taking them away would destroy a large part of our culture. Theoretically, anyway. Without guns, we would lose one of our largest outdoor activities, hunting. If you want to look at it from an economic point of view, removing guns and therefore hunting would also decrease the amount of money the state makes annually in tourism and hunting fees. Because (most) Montanans have been raised around guns, gun safety is a large part of our education. We are well-equipped to handle and use guns in a safe and competent manner. Accidents happen when people do not follow basic gun safety guidelines, like pointing the gun at someone or failing to make sure the gun is unloaded before transporting.
However, as previously stated, the major issue surrounding gun control is infringement of our Second Amendment rights. Should anyone be able to get a gun? Does everyone really have that right? Clearly, due to current gun laws, there are limitations on who can own firearms and what kin of firearms they can own. Unfortunately, it’s difficult for the Federal Government to pass laws governing firearms because the need and use of firearms is so varied across the United States. Alaska and California both have a “need” for guns for protection; in Alasksa, the protection is from animals and in California, the protection is needed from other people.
It’s interesting to attempt to research how violent crime rates in the United States and Australia compare. Although it’s apparent crimes involving guns are hugely more frequent in the U.S., it is not clear what the differences in violent crimes actually are. Does having no guns actually decrease the probability of being a victim of a violent crime? So Australians don’t have guns. Does this mean the chances of getting stabbed or mugged increase or decrease? Is there no direct correlation?
Although I am from an area of the U.S. where gun use and ownership is common, events like the Virginia Tech shooting bring to light the dangers and possible lack of prudence in allowing civilians to own guns. I am of the opinion that if the government were to impose stricter gun laws, it may decrease the incidence rate of spontaneous acts of violence involving guns, but would have little to no effect on the rates related to premeditated crime (including murder, armed robbery, etc.) If someone really wants to get a gun, they will find a way. I am willing to assume significant proportion of guns are obtained illegally anyway. What would stricter guns laws change?
The recent shootings at Virginia Tech have caused at of questions to be raised as to the prudency and wisdom of America’s gun laws, as well as questions regarding previous shootings, especially Columbine. Australian gun laws are very strict compared to those of the United States. Basically, it’s extremely difficult to get a gun; the general populous does not have access to firearms and most Australians do not view this as an infringement on their rights. As I understand it, Australians believe that their gun laws make Australia a safer place to live, decreasing crime rates and incidences of violent crimes, including murder and robbery. The overall safety of their nation is more important than their right to bear arms.
However, it is important to understand that the right to bear arms is NOT part of their constitution. The ability to purchase, own, and carry firearms is NOT an ingrained part of their culture, constitution and way of life, as it is in America. Despite all of the evidence supporting stricter gun laws in the States, the basic argument is that people are concerned that removing or limiting their 2nd Amendment rights will lead to restrictions of other rights. Whether this is the case, or if America truly has an addiction to violence and the need for control in the form of guns, is unclear.
According to my Calfiornian friend, if no one (with the exception of law enforcement and the military) had guns, it would be a good thing. Her opinions differs greatly from mine due largely to our cultural backgrounds. In Montana, guns are an ingrained part of our heritage and lifestyle. Taking them away would destroy a large part of our culture. Theoretically, anyway. Without guns, we would lose one of our largest outdoor activities, hunting. If you want to look at it from an economic point of view, removing guns and therefore hunting would also decrease the amount of money the state makes annually in tourism and hunting fees. Because (most) Montanans have been raised around guns, gun safety is a large part of our education. We are well-equipped to handle and use guns in a safe and competent manner. Accidents happen when people do not follow basic gun safety guidelines, like pointing the gun at someone or failing to make sure the gun is unloaded before transporting.
However, as previously stated, the major issue surrounding gun control is infringement of our Second Amendment rights. Should anyone be able to get a gun? Does everyone really have that right? Clearly, due to current gun laws, there are limitations on who can own firearms and what kin of firearms they can own. Unfortunately, it’s difficult for the Federal Government to pass laws governing firearms because the need and use of firearms is so varied across the United States. Alaska and California both have a “need” for guns for protection; in Alasksa, the protection is from animals and in California, the protection is needed from other people.
It’s interesting to attempt to research how violent crime rates in the United States and Australia compare. Although it’s apparent crimes involving guns are hugely more frequent in the U.S., it is not clear what the differences in violent crimes actually are. Does having no guns actually decrease the probability of being a victim of a violent crime? So Australians don’t have guns. Does this mean the chances of getting stabbed or mugged increase or decrease? Is there no direct correlation?
Although I am from an area of the U.S. where gun use and ownership is common, events like the Virginia Tech shooting bring to light the dangers and possible lack of prudence in allowing civilians to own guns. I am of the opinion that if the government were to impose stricter gun laws, it may decrease the incidence rate of spontaneous acts of violence involving guns, but would have little to no effect on the rates related to premeditated crime (including murder, armed robbery, etc.) If someone really wants to get a gun, they will find a way. I am willing to assume significant proportion of guns are obtained illegally anyway. What would stricter guns laws change?
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Group Work
G'day everyone!
Technically, it's morning here...which means I should be in bed. But seeing as I have a HUGE project due tomorrow (worth 40% of my final grade) and one partner in the group decided to wank off and not do her part... I am still awake, trying to fix things so I don't fail. That's the worst part about group work. There's always that one person who doesn't do their part, creating more stress and work for the other group members.
Anyway.
A quick update on my life from the last week. xa
I haven't done anything but study. naturally, that's an exaggerated statement meant to make me sound studious and motivated. It's mostly true. I have been doing a lot of uni work (homework) because this week is midterms. Essentially. Of course, all the test and projects aren't actually called midterms, but that's what it amounts to. So I'm totally stressing. It's okay tho.
This week I plan to look for a job. There is a shopping center about fifteen minutes walk away, so I'm thinking I wil apply to several stores there. It's hard to say who is hiring right now, especially since I'm only allowed (by teh Australian government) to work 20 hours a week, and I have no experience in healthcare. There are a few semi-local hospitals hiring, but it is very difficult for me to get places, as I don't have a car and public transportation kinda sucks. It's nice that there IS public trans. but it is unreliable and often only gets you part way to your destination; the trains are very slow. So it's impractical for me to continue working in healthcare when I can work somewhere closer.
Wages for working here are significantly higher than in the U.S., as is the cost of living. Assumably, they are porportional. For example, I pay $149 AUD per week in rent, while in the U.S. I paid $180 a month. However, I was only making $11.00/hr, where the base wage for most jobs here is somewhere around $14.00/hr. The "base wage" for jobs includes jobs like McDOnalds, or retail at one of the shops. I would really like to work at a coffee shop, as there are several at Macarthur Square, including the very American Starbucks, but as is the case with most college towns, many positions are filled immediately following the commencement of university in the autumn.
As an interesting note, the term "Fall" used in reference to a season is very American. The rest of the English-speaking world refers to the season following summer as "Autumn."
I will detail my fun-filled weekend at some later point, probably when I am not supposed to be preparing a massive presentation. Last weekend invovled the World's Scariest Club and a trip to the beach. Actually, that's all there is to the beach story, but the world's sketch-iest club, 209, deserves a blog of it's own!
Good on ya, mates!
Technically, it's morning here...which means I should be in bed. But seeing as I have a HUGE project due tomorrow (worth 40% of my final grade) and one partner in the group decided to wank off and not do her part... I am still awake, trying to fix things so I don't fail. That's the worst part about group work. There's always that one person who doesn't do their part, creating more stress and work for the other group members.
Anyway.
A quick update on my life from the last week. xa
I haven't done anything but study. naturally, that's an exaggerated statement meant to make me sound studious and motivated. It's mostly true. I have been doing a lot of uni work (homework) because this week is midterms. Essentially. Of course, all the test and projects aren't actually called midterms, but that's what it amounts to. So I'm totally stressing. It's okay tho.
This week I plan to look for a job. There is a shopping center about fifteen minutes walk away, so I'm thinking I wil apply to several stores there. It's hard to say who is hiring right now, especially since I'm only allowed (by teh Australian government) to work 20 hours a week, and I have no experience in healthcare. There are a few semi-local hospitals hiring, but it is very difficult for me to get places, as I don't have a car and public transportation kinda sucks. It's nice that there IS public trans. but it is unreliable and often only gets you part way to your destination; the trains are very slow. So it's impractical for me to continue working in healthcare when I can work somewhere closer.
Wages for working here are significantly higher than in the U.S., as is the cost of living. Assumably, they are porportional. For example, I pay $149 AUD per week in rent, while in the U.S. I paid $180 a month. However, I was only making $11.00/hr, where the base wage for most jobs here is somewhere around $14.00/hr. The "base wage" for jobs includes jobs like McDOnalds, or retail at one of the shops. I would really like to work at a coffee shop, as there are several at Macarthur Square, including the very American Starbucks, but as is the case with most college towns, many positions are filled immediately following the commencement of university in the autumn.
As an interesting note, the term "Fall" used in reference to a season is very American. The rest of the English-speaking world refers to the season following summer as "Autumn."
I will detail my fun-filled weekend at some later point, probably when I am not supposed to be preparing a massive presentation. Last weekend invovled the World's Scariest Club and a trip to the beach. Actually, that's all there is to the beach story, but the world's sketch-iest club, 209, deserves a blog of it's own!
Good on ya, mates!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Where I live!
This is where I live! This is my room, from the doorway. there is a bathroom directly to the right... Actually, it's the biggest room on residence. Probably because it's 
totally wheelchair accessible.
totally wheelchair accessible. And this is the living room... where we all hang out and watch really fun Aussie TV. Big on game shows here. And swimming. I've had to watch a lot of swimming...and Pirates of the Carribbean (They're watching it right now- again)
And the kitchen. Can't be bothered to figure out how to get the image rotated, so I guess you'll just have to move your necks around a bit to have a look!
I'm Done with Randoms
Sure, it's fun to have guys around... to feel attractive because there is more than one guy interested... but I'm not really that girl. I can't just flit from guy to guy and "have fun." Let's face it: If I weren't so relationship phobic, I would be a relationship-only girl. In fact, I'm thinking about taking that leap anyway.
Tim wants to date me. And to be honest, I kind of want to date him. As in "bf/gf". I know. Weird. Amber, if you're reading this you should be solidly freaked out. What the hell is happening to me?!!! Relationships? You must be joking... but I'm not.
I also can't get past the idea of feeling like it's not fair to any of the guys to be seeing or dating or whatever you want to call it all of them at the same time. They really all are very nice buys, and I don't believe anyone deserves to be played. Which is wehre I'm heading, if I continue to see all of them. So I've decided I'm going to jump and give Tim a chance. If it doesn't work out, i will be hurt and it will suck, but it's a risk I (eventually) have to be willing to take.
So we'll see how it goes. I'm really dreading having to tell Brett that I can't see him anymore as anything other than friends (yes, I probably will use this line). And, unfortunately, I have to do it today, because he wants me to meet up with him in the city, something I can't afford to do, monetarily and I won't risk losing Tim. If Tim found out I was "dating' other guys, he would be gone, I have no doubt about it. And I don't want him to go.
So there it is. My confession. I'm letting go of Randoms and sticking with a Particular. FYI- if people are not randoms, they are particulars. And Tim is becoming a Particular.
No worries, though! I won't fall in love. I don't fall in love. Love is like a four-letter word. It just shouldn't be said unless you really really mean it. And I'm not sure I'll ever mean it. But that's a whole different story/psychological self-evaluation through blogging!
Hope everyone is well and thanks for stopping by!
Tim wants to date me. And to be honest, I kind of want to date him. As in "bf/gf". I know. Weird. Amber, if you're reading this you should be solidly freaked out. What the hell is happening to me?!!! Relationships? You must be joking... but I'm not.
I also can't get past the idea of feeling like it's not fair to any of the guys to be seeing or dating or whatever you want to call it all of them at the same time. They really all are very nice buys, and I don't believe anyone deserves to be played. Which is wehre I'm heading, if I continue to see all of them. So I've decided I'm going to jump and give Tim a chance. If it doesn't work out, i will be hurt and it will suck, but it's a risk I (eventually) have to be willing to take.
So we'll see how it goes. I'm really dreading having to tell Brett that I can't see him anymore as anything other than friends (yes, I probably will use this line). And, unfortunately, I have to do it today, because he wants me to meet up with him in the city, something I can't afford to do, monetarily and I won't risk losing Tim. If Tim found out I was "dating' other guys, he would be gone, I have no doubt about it. And I don't want him to go.
So there it is. My confession. I'm letting go of Randoms and sticking with a Particular. FYI- if people are not randoms, they are particulars. And Tim is becoming a Particular.
No worries, though! I won't fall in love. I don't fall in love. Love is like a four-letter word. It just shouldn't be said unless you really really mean it. And I'm not sure I'll ever mean it. But that's a whole different story/psychological self-evaluation through blogging!
Hope everyone is well and thanks for stopping by!
Harbour Cruise and Random Key
Last night I went on the Harbour Cruise, an event planned by the University. Basically, a ton of people got on a boat, drank a ton of alcohol and danced as the boat moved around the Harbout. Honestly, I forgot to look out the window, so I'm not sure if it was even a good view. But it was fun... I keep spending way too much money, especially on taxis to get home... although last night it wasn't my fault. Really. I trusted a friend to help me get home, and he did, but it ended up costing me about $100 (AUD) to catch a cab from where the last train stopped.
Anyway, as usual, things got interesting due to a Random. And, Madeline, no, they do actually have names; I'm just writing them to try and protect their identities. And in case anyone who knows them might actually be reading this! (Check the end of this blog- I'll put in a key.) The Random from last night was actually a reoccurring random. Two (or three?) weeks ago I went to the Roxy in Parramatta, where i met two randoms, Randoms #2 and #3. Random #2 I've seen since then... and Random #3 turned up last night. Weird huh? Well, nothing happened, as far as I'm concerned. We danced (he's a good dancer.) and then he rode the train part way with me and called a cab.
I wasn't originally supposed to take train home, but the boat had to dock early due to a medical emergency, so the bus that was supposed to take us home wasn't due to arrive for another hour. So, given that, I decided to take a train as far as i could before I called a cab. In retrospect, I should have taken the Night Rider and saved myself heaps of money. I know what to do now, I guess. Life goes on. Anyway, Random #3 was very helpful and it's always nice to have someone who knows the city a bit better than I.
Here it goes... the Key to Randoms (with statistics):
Random #1
Brett Hughes, 26 years old. 6'1", about 90 kg. He is a financial analyst for a firm in Sydney. Originally from a farm north and west of here, he has a brother and a sister. He currently lives in Epping, a suburb of Sydney with two roommates.
Random #2
Tom Reid, 19 years old, 6'0", in his second year apprenticeship as a carpenter. He lives near Parramatta, which is about an hour north of Campbelltown. Blonde hair, blue eyes.
Random #3
Robert. About 5'10", brown hair, blue eyes. Obviously, I don't know a lot about him. He's an engineering student at the Penrith campus and in his first year, which means he's probably a bit young... but he's a good dancer. He enjoys playing water polo and drinking.
Random #4
Tim Parker, 22 years old, 6'3" 85 kg. Tim has a degree in Physical Education and will graduate with his second degree (Bachelor of Education) in July. He currently plays soccer for a local club teams, but hopes to pursue a career in soccer. Blonde hair, blue eyes.
Anyway, as usual, things got interesting due to a Random. And, Madeline, no, they do actually have names; I'm just writing them to try and protect their identities. And in case anyone who knows them might actually be reading this! (Check the end of this blog- I'll put in a key.) The Random from last night was actually a reoccurring random. Two (or three?) weeks ago I went to the Roxy in Parramatta, where i met two randoms, Randoms #2 and #3. Random #2 I've seen since then... and Random #3 turned up last night. Weird huh? Well, nothing happened, as far as I'm concerned. We danced (he's a good dancer.) and then he rode the train part way with me and called a cab.
I wasn't originally supposed to take train home, but the boat had to dock early due to a medical emergency, so the bus that was supposed to take us home wasn't due to arrive for another hour. So, given that, I decided to take a train as far as i could before I called a cab. In retrospect, I should have taken the Night Rider and saved myself heaps of money. I know what to do now, I guess. Life goes on. Anyway, Random #3 was very helpful and it's always nice to have someone who knows the city a bit better than I.
Here it goes... the Key to Randoms (with statistics):
Random #1
Brett Hughes, 26 years old. 6'1", about 90 kg. He is a financial analyst for a firm in Sydney. Originally from a farm north and west of here, he has a brother and a sister. He currently lives in Epping, a suburb of Sydney with two roommates.
Random #2
Tom Reid, 19 years old, 6'0", in his second year apprenticeship as a carpenter. He lives near Parramatta, which is about an hour north of Campbelltown. Blonde hair, blue eyes.
Random #3
Robert. About 5'10", brown hair, blue eyes. Obviously, I don't know a lot about him. He's an engineering student at the Penrith campus and in his first year, which means he's probably a bit young... but he's a good dancer. He enjoys playing water polo and drinking.
Random #4
Tim Parker, 22 years old, 6'3" 85 kg. Tim has a degree in Physical Education and will graduate with his second degree (Bachelor of Education) in July. He currently plays soccer for a local club teams, but hopes to pursue a career in soccer. Blonde hair, blue eyes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)