WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

SEAN

Open Water Swims

Greetings LeatherJackets!

Open water swimmers, if you are interested in the events below please
contact either Todd at toddmacc@optusnet.com.au or David at
david.ricketts@lizzy.com.au

See you in the pool
Sean

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Todd McEvoy <toddmacc@optusnet.com.au>
Date: 19 Dec 2007 19:39
Subject: Fw: Open water
To: Sean Donovan <smp.donovan@gmail.com>

Hi Sean,
Pls read email (original one from Dave) below & forward on to Leatherjackets
Cheers
Todd
----- Original Message -----
From: "Todd McEvoy" <toddmacc@optusnet.com.au>
To: <david.ricketts@lizzy.com.au>
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 7:33 PM
Subject: Open water

> Hi Dave,
> All sound good - excellent idea, will get Sean to forward on & see who is
interested
> Cheers
> Todd
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <david.ricketts@lizzy.com.au>
> To: "Todd McEvoy" <toddmacc@optusnet.com.au>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 10:47 AM
>
>
> > From: david.ricketts@lizzy.com.au
> > Reply-to: david.ricketts@lizzy.com.au
> > Apparently-from: david.ricketts@pop.lizzy.com.au
> > X-Mailer: NikoSoft WebMail Perl from Alexandre Aufrere
> > Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:47:53 +1100
> > Subject: Re: Fw: Things you shouldn't find in your vegetable patch!
> >
> >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > Hi Todd, had a think about things aquatic and the following swims
> appeal: 6/1 the roughwater swim at Bondi 2 km. Have not done it before but
> read last seasons report and it seems good- not thousands of people.
> > 27/1 this is a good one: the big swim from Palm to Whale 2.7 km Have
done
> it with Tino & Craig. and despite thousands of people it is not as crowded
> due to the course layout. Only thing is that one must register early as
> numbers are usually limited.
> > If you have the email addresses of the others then it would be a good
idea
> to pass this around and we'll try to get a team and share a car and the
fun.
> Cheers DavidR
> >
>

Leatherjackets Christmas 2007

YOU'RE INVITED TO THE LIVERPOOL LEATHERJACKETS CHRISTMAS BASH!

We are having a BBQ at Craig's Place:

Date: Friday, 14th December
Time: 7pm onward
Address: 5 Brampton Close, Hinchinbrook
Food: Meat, fish, etc. to be provided. Bring a salad, desert.
Drinks: BYO
Cost: ~$15
To RSVP contact Craig at craigfive@optusnet.com.au or 0409 363 533.

Remembrance Song (PS) - (c) Sean Donovan 2000

(c) Sean Donovan 2000
Remembrance Song (PS)

Listen slowly.
Can you hear me?
I am speaking from a long time ago.
Misty memory
calling to you,
softly melting like the snow.
Faded entry
in a diary -
someone you used to know
where the flowers
used to grow.

Whisper to you.
Whisper through you.
All the secrets that you don't want to know.
Do you see me
in the scenery
Looking at the view out your window?
Yellowed photos
long forgotten -
somewhere you used to go
where the flowers
used to grow.

Time scattered with
shadows
stretch long in the
glow.
Seasons go.

Echoed voices
gather 'round you.
Missing friendships that were here long ago.
Walk beside me
through your memory.
Colours bleed until they show ...
Patchy sunlight
flickers briefly
on a face you used to know
where the flowers
used to grow.

Catholic Navy chaplain shares story of Iraqi conversion

I thought that you might find this story interesting:

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=11173

Catholic Navy chaplain shares story of Iraqi conversion

Cross and Icon in Wollongong

To see some pic's of the CYC with the cross and icon in Wollongong go
to http://stjohncampbelltown.blogspot.com/2007/12/cyc-at-wollongong-cross-and-icon.html
(apologies for the blurry shots, but the lighting was, as they say, subdued).

Upcoming Carnivals

Hi!

As discussed last Tuesday, attached are flyers for some carnivals
early next year. Blacktown programme has yet to be released.

Sat 16 Feb - North Sydney (entries 25 Jan)
Sat 1 Mar - Campbelltown (entries 8 Feb)
Sat 8 Mar - Blacktown (entries TBA)

See you in the pool
Sean

Greetings Leatherjackets!

Greetings Leatherjackets!

At the meeting on Tuesday night it was agreed to hold a Christmas BBQ
bash at Craig's place. It is probably just as well because Liz tells
me the price of the restaurant has gone up for Christmas.

So, details are:

Date: Friday, 14th December
Time: 7pm onward
Address: 5 Brampton Close, Hinchinbrook
Food: Meat, fish, etc. to be provided. Bring a salad, desert.
Drinks: BYO
Cost: ~$15
RSVP: Craig at craigfive@optusnet.com.au

See you at the BBQ!
Sean

Movember Update - Last Week

The final countdown!

Last chance to catch a glance at the mo, or as some suggest my third
eyebrow. Check it out at http://smpdonovan.blogspot.com as I pull
several funny faces. Our team total now stands at $1,065. If you
haven't already sponsored, there is still time!

The money raised by Movember is donated to the Prostate Cancer
Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression
initiative, which will use the funds to create awareness, fund
research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from
prostate cancer and male depression.

You can support these initiatives. To sponsor my Mo please go to
http://www.movember.com/au/donate , enter my registration number which
is 138060 and your credit card details. Or you can sponsor me by
cheque made payable to the "Movember Foundation" clearly marking the
donation as being for my Registration
Number: 138060. Please mail cheques to: PO Box 292, Prahran VIC 3181.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Thanks for your support

Sean

More info is available at www.movember .com.
Movember is proudly grown by Commonwealth Bank, Holden, Schick and VB.
Movember is proud partners with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of
Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative.

Movember Final Vid

Brendan Nelson?

Brendan? Who ever heard of a world leader called Brendan? Oh well.

Leatherjackets Christmas Dinner Suggestion

Greetings Again Leatherjackets!

Liz has suggested Aquarius is at Rabaul Street, Georges Hall. It is on
the river and has recently opened.

Set menu's (from October) are attached. The $36/$38 menu looks pretty good.

Suggested dates Wednesday 12th, Friday 14th, or Saturday 15th December
depending on restaurant bookings.

What do you think?

Sean

Greetings Leatherjackets!

Greetings Leatherjackets!

It's nearly December, already. Time to swim hard ahead of all those
extra Christmas calories. A few things to note ...

1. Renewals Due - In case you haven't already paid, just a reminder
that renewals for 2008 are now due. Tino is making a point to come
along on Tuesdays to write up receipts (although you can pay either
Tino, Craig or myself).

2. Christmas Dinner - Volunteers wanted to organise the Christmas
dinner. Restaurant suggestions welcome.

3. AGM - It's that time of year again to return our branch report and
committee details. Stay around next Tuesday after training for a
meeting, in the cafe area outside the pool.

4. Welcome to New Members - Please make our new members welcome when
you see them at training.

That's all for now. See you in the pool!
Sean

Movember Update Three and a Half

So the Mo Grows! A subtle growth in salt and pepper shades, rather than one of those flashy, trashy types. I think I'll try for the Errol Flynn look.

An Inconvenient Election

We now have a Federal Labor government to match all the State Labor
governments. Given the dogs breakfast that is state administration
this doesn't bode well for the country. It does beg the question of
"why?" an economically successful Liberal government should be tossed
out in such a way.

Unfortunately, I was right on the money when I wrote to my brother
last week (before the election) that: "The bumbling and fumbling that
has gone on in this campaign is reminiscent of many a NSW Liberal
effort rather than the usually slick Federal machine. I suspect the
'count' will be over by about 6:45pm."

In reality, the Liberal party simply didn't have enough troops on the
ground to mount any sort of campaign because the state organisations
have been busying themselves with expelling anyone who doesn't toe the
line of the right faction. In particular, the removal of anyone
interested in policy formation, and the promotion of drones simply
there to provide voting numbers for upper house members to continue
their gravy train existence, left the party with nothing to say about
the future.

All the talk about it being an "It's Time" factor after eleven years
of government ignores the abject failure of the state apparatus to get
elected against (in NSW) even longer incumbency.

Given the stupidity of the blunders during the state and federal
campaigns, one begins to wonder if the people behind all this aren't
merely Labor plants sent in to sabotage the other side. Perhaps the
media should start chasing these (mostly) men and making some serious
enquiries about them.

Obviously the parliamentary party will elect a new leader. Probably it
should be Malcolm Turnbull with Julie Bishop as deputy. If Tony Abbot
gets the nod after his disastrous campaign performance then we know
that there is indeed something rotten in the state of Denmark.

The next step for the party should be to clear out the state
executives altogether, write an apology to all those members who have
been expelled over the past ten years and invite them to rejoin, and
put in place a simpler branch and state structure that removes the
power from these 'stackers' and rewards actual branch attendance and
activity.

In concert with this, a serious investigation into these nominal
branches with their sham AGMs, and the public shaming of those behind
them, needs to be made and completed well before the next election.

If all of these things happen I am sure that this government would be
ousted in the short term. I will be surprised if in the next eighteen
months the economy hasn't already begun to slide into recession and
people look for an alternative. Given the upper house problems that
Rudd will have getting bills passed while trying to accommodate the
opposing dogma of the Greens and Family First or Xenophon, it is
likely that Rudd will call a double dissolution election (just as
Whitlam did in '74) to get rid of Family First. Such a move is also
like to end (as with Whitlam) in Liberal control of the upper house.

Unfortunately I hold little hope that the changes I have suggested
will, in fact, occur. Perhaps, like the UAP before it, we are seeing
the death throes of the Liberal Party, and a new party will need to be
formed from the ashes. With the continuing decline of the Nationals as
the rural vote is flooded out by the sea-change voters, we could see both
parties dissolve and a new combined force created.

We shall see.

Youth Mission Team 2008!

The Youth Mission Team are looking for young Catholic men or women to join their ministry in 2008. This is a great opportunity! Please have a look at the information below, and to find out more about the details of the team see http://www.dow.org.au/93 or www.ymt.com.au.

Movember Update 2

Hi Again!

Another week (or so) completed on Movember and things are progressing. We could do with more dough on the mo, though. Our team total is now at $740.

To sponsor my Mo please go to http://www.movember.com/au/donate , enter my registration number which is 138060 and your credit card details. Or you can sponsor me by cheque made payable to the "Movember Foundation" clearly marking the donation as being for my Registration Number: 138060. Please mail cheques to: PO Box 292, Prahran VIC 3181. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

I have put the miracle of growth on my blog at http://smpdonovan.blogspot.com/ for you to check.

Thanks for your support

Sean

More info is available at www.movember .com.

Movember is proudly grown by Commonwealth Bank, Holden, Schick and VB.

Movember is proud partners with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative.

Movember Week Three-ish

Greetings Leatherjackets!

Greeting Leatherjackets!

Another quick update as we near the end of another year. The weather is warming up and the outside pool is nice and inviting. No better time to get to the pool.

1. 2008 Renewals - Renewals for next year can be paid to myself, Craig, or Tino. Only $120 for twelve months.

2. New members - You may have noticed a few new members have joined us recently. Please introduce yourself and make them feel at home.

3. Christmas Dinner - On the back of the last outing, which was fabulous, it is time to start planning our Christmas function. Suggestions welcome.

4. Division 4 Trophy - Speaking of which, for those who weren't at the dinner, Liverpool picked up our first ever trophy (woo-hoo) at the long distance championships. Thanks to Glen and David for their magnificent efforts.

See you in the pool.
Sean

Funeral Mass for Thi Bui

There will be a Funeral Mass for Thi tomorrow at St Brigids Catholic Church (details below). The Mass starts at 11am or or you can say goodbye at Walters & Son (details below) where there will be a viewing Mass on Sunday 7.00pm to 9.00pm.

The family has requested: NOT to bring or send any Flowers. Cash Donations can be given to the family member.  This will go to their adopted son on Monday at private family ceremony.

*Saturday Mass - at 11.00am*
 St Brigids Catholic Church
 392A Marrickville Rd,
 Marrickville, NSW 2204
 Church Service
 
*Viewing Mass - Sunday 18 Nov 2007 - between 7.00pm to 9.00pm*
 Walters & Son 
 433 New Canterbury Rd Dulwich Hill

Fisher's Ghost 2007

Movember Update

Hi!

Well, one week into the Movember quest and you may have seen gentlemen around town sporting a smudge-like fuzz on their upper lip. There is still 21 days to develop into something more substantial, such as a larger grey smudge-like fuzz. Our team sponsorship total now stands at $140, so hopefully this will grow with the mo.

To sponsor my Mo please go to http://www.movember.com/au/donate , enter my registration number which is 138060 and your credit card details. Or you can sponsor me by cheque made payable to the "Movember Foundation" clearly marking the donation as being for my Registration Number: 138060. Please mail cheques to: PO Box 292, Prahran VIC 3181. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

The money raised by Movember is donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative, which will use the funds to create awareness, fund research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from prostate cancer and male depression.

For those that have supported Movember in previous years you can be very proud of the impact it has had and can check out the detail at: Fundraising Outcomes.

I will put my (currently meagre) mo progress on my blog at http://smpdonovan.blogspot.com/ soon for you to check.

Thanks for your support

Sean

More info is available at www.movember.com.

Movember is proudly grown by Commonwealth Bank, Holden, Schick and VB.

Movember is proud partners with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative.

 

Movember Week One

Fwd: WYD Battle of the Bands - Applications due soon!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Christy Honeysett <christy.honeysett@woll.catholic.org.au >
Date: 5 Nov 2007 16:27
Subject: WYD Battle of the Bands - Applications due soon!
To: Christy Honeysett <christy.honeysett@woll.catholic.org.au >

Applications to perform at the World Youth Day Battle of the Bands on 24 November close THIS FRIDAY!

If you know any musicians (bands or solo) aged 12-35 years from Wollongong Diocese who can perform 2 songs (original or copies) that are in the spirit of World Youth Day, invite them to apply! Prizes include a 3 day studio recording package and EP, guitars, heaps of music shop vouchers etc. Check out www.myspace.com/wydbandcomp for more details and the application form.

 

 

 

Movember 2007

Hi All,

During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I'll be growin a Mo. That's right I'm bringing the Mo back because I'm passionate about changing men's health and the fight against male depression and prostate cancer. Why...


Depression affects 1 in 6 men...Most don't seek help. Untreated depression is a leading risk factor for suicide.
Last year in Australia 18,700 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2,900 died of prostate cancer - equivalent to the number of women who die from breast cancer annually.
Men are far less healthy than women. The average life expectancy of males is 5 years less than females.
To sponsor my Mo please go to http://www.movember.com/au/donate, enter my registration number which is 138060 and your credit card details. Or you can sponsor me by cheque made payable to the "Movember Foundation" clearly marking the donation as being for my Registration Number: 138060. Please mail cheques to: PO Box 292, Prahran VIC 3181. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

The money raised by Movember is donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative, which will use the funds to create awareness, fund research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from prostate cancer and male depression.

For those that have supported Movember in previous years you can be very proud of the impact it has had and can check out the detail at: Fundraising Outcomes.

Movember culminates at the end of the month at the Gala Partés. These glamorous and groomed events will see Tom Selleck and Borat look-a-likes battle it out for their chance to take home the prestigious Man of Movember title. If you would like to be part of this great night you'll need to purchase a Gala Parté ticket .


Thanks for your support

Sean

More info is available at www.movember.com.

Movember is proudly grown by Commonwealth Bank, Holden, Schick and VB.

Movember is proud partners with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative.


BEFORE:

WYD 2008

world youth day sydney 2008
campbelltown team meeting

Only 256 days to go before WYD08

Saturday, Fishers Ghost Parade - You are invited to join the Campbelltown WYD08 team  for the Fishers Ghost parade on Saturday. Our march order number is 63 and our assembly area is the Old Campbelltown Showground - Entry via Queen Street into KING Street, Campbelltown. You must arrive at the assembly area before 12:00 noon.

Sunday, Campbelltown team meeting - You are invited to join the Campbelltown WYD08 team this Sunday 4th November at 6pm, right after 5pm mass. Join in the Youth Group, Promotions, and Home Stay teams. Organising for the upcoming events and Journey of the Cross and Icon (JCI).

WYD Merchandise - Show your support by purchasing some of the variety of fundraising merchandise available from the WYD team. Money raised by the WYD HQ goes toward sponsoring youth from less affluent countries to attend WYD. Money raised locally goes toward paying for WYD and Catholic Youth activities and promotions in Campbelltown.


Upcoming events:
* Saturday 3 November - Festival of Fisher's Ghost Street Parade
* Saturday 10 November - Festival of Fisher's Ghost Street Fair
* Satuday 8 December - JCI Workshop

Next Year
* 26/27 March - Journey of the Cross in Campbelltown, Overnight vigil at St John's
* 15-20 July - WYD week


Check out the web sites at
  http://www.wyd2008.org
  http://www.dow.org.au/wyd2008/home/

Could this be Australia's next PM?

Could this be Australia's next Prime Minister? Check this out on YouTube ..

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0B23RgyhkI

 

Gross ... :-|~

 

Fishers Ghost Parade - Saturday

Calling all Catholics!

If you are up to a little walking, you are invited to come with us in the Fisher's Ghost parade this Saturday, the 3rd of November. We also need plenty of fit young people to carry the banners. We want as many people as possible to turn out for Jesus, so pass this message on to everyone you know.

Our march order number is 63 and our assembly area is the Old Campbelltown Showground - Entry via Queen Street into KING Street, Campbelltown. You must arrive at the assembly area before 12:00 noon.

Look for the bright blue WYD shirts! Bring water and wear comfortable shoes.

The parade will finish with the Combined Churches Family Fun Festival at Koshigaya Park.

Some Recent Youth Events at our Church

Hi:

Thought you might like to look at some recent youth events at our church. Pics and Vids at:

http://stjohncampbelltown.blogspot.com/2007/10/2007-10-youthfest-pics-and-vids.html
and
http://stjohncampbelltown.blogspot.com/2007/10/cyc-october-pics-and-vids.html

Peace
Sean

Some Election Thoughts

I don't think I believe the polling results or some of the reader comments.

To those who fret about work choices impacting their job: surely it is better to have a job with work choices than no job at all. To those who don't see the ALP-Union connection: It was always thus, this is why the party was formed. To those who think Rudd is just a younger version of Howard with the same policies: Who will he copy those policies from if he wins the election? To those who think that the economy is bullet proof: look what happened to the Australian economy from 72-75 and 92-96.

WYD 2008 - Meeting Notes 20071007

Notes from WYD team Meeting

Sunday 07.10.2007
6pm
St John's Parish Hall Meeting Room

1. Opening Prayer - WYD Song

2. Attendance - Sean Donovan, Greg Simoni, Yuti Diack, Clayton Diack, Dianne Byrnes, Carolyn Baragry, Kylie Moody, Marylyn Elias, Ivanna Goodall, John Verhoeven
Apologies - Mary Law, Erin Byrnes, Kerry McDonald, Pat and Mick Webb, Craig Cockroft

3. Reports
a. Prohibited Employment Declaration Forms - JV
b. Treasurer's Report - CB. Cash at hand from shirt sales $400.
c. Media Report - GS. Examples of local media coverage tabled. Dates for Youth Events distributed to local churches, schools and media. Noted that the term break at the schools hampered getting the message out.

4. Promotions/Fundraisers
a. Shirts/Hats - SD. Shirts now available. Noted the need to order additional small and medium sizes as these have run out. Will enquire about  bucket hats with embroidered logo.
b. Other materials/hats - JV. Advised still need to follow up on these items. Another source for some fundraising items was also found at Brookvale and will be contacted.
c. Bunnings BBQ - CD advised that the Bunnings BBQ can be booked for Saturday or Sunday for fundraising. Bunnings provide BBQ and gas, the group would provide all food and drink. Would need to staff from 9am to 3pm and clean-up. $50 deposit required which is returned following return of the cleaned BBQ. Need to show parish public liability insurance to book. JV to provide to CD. Agreed to book a Saturday each month starting from January.
d. Fundraising Week - YD suggested a fundraising week, perhaps a chocolate drive or Krispy Kreme. DB to investigate Cadbury Chocolate fundraisers.
e. Banner - CB/CD. Agreed on the CYC name and design. Will proceed to organise banner prior to YouthFest.

5. Youth Group
a. Veritas Shirts - CD. Agreed to proceed with a few of these screen printed shirts ahead of the YouthFest. Estimated sale price about $20.
b. Future Youth Group Dates - JV provided a list of all the future CYC dates to the end of 2008.


6. Upcoming Events

a. CYC Event 21st October
- Estimate 25 people will attend.
- Talk to be given by WYD team members following masses next weekend with handouts following mass. WYD shirts to be worn so people recognise the team. JV will prepare an overhead slide. Vigil - GS, 7.30am - EB, 9am - KM, 10am - CD/YD, 5pm - GS
- CD/YD will organise food. It was noted that food purchased could be frozen and may cover both the CYC and YouthFest. "Oldies" to handle BBQ while the youth group meeting is in progress.
- CD advised that Karin Ransden and Sari Blenkinsopp will give testimony and run the central hour of the meeting.
- GS advised that the church rock group had agreed to play. It was suggested that the band could play prior to the testimonies, as people arrive, and then during the BBQ.
- GS/YD to complete an agenda for the evening and circulate.

b. YouthFest 27th October
- Tabled letters from Christy Honeysett outlining the format of the evening. Estimated 80 people to attend. Need for us to cater and youth group members to meet/greet arrivals.
- We need to find accomodation for the 12 members of the NET ministry for the Saturday night. JV to raise with MW/PW to see if homestay volunteers can provide.

c. Fishers Ghost Parade Saturday 3rd November and Street Fair Saturday 10th November - CB.

d. Parish "New Year" Bush Dance - Saturday 24th November

e. Journey of the Cross in Campbelltown - Wednesday 26th March

f. WYD08 week - Monday 14th July to Sunday 20 July


6. Positions Vacant
a. Transport co-ordinator - Still vacant

7. Closing Prayer

Next Meeting Sunday 21st October 6pm (during the youth group meeting)

Catholic Youth Campbelltown

An Interesting Graph - Lib/Lab

An Interesting Graph!

I was playing around with the Google Trends graphs again and came up with the following result that I found intriguing.

liberal

labor

The top graph shows the searches on Google for Liberal and Labor, which are roughly the same. The bottom graph, however, shows that quite a lot more news articles are being written about labor than about liberal.

There seems to be a large disconnect between the information that people are looking for and what they are being given by the official media. Interesting. Does someone have an agenda here?

Greetings LeatherJackets!

Greetings LeatherJackets!

 

A short update on what's happening at Liverpool Masters Swimming ...

 

1. The 50m outside pool is open! We started outside last week and the water temperature is marvellous. It seems the new pool managers are actually using the heater. Great stuff!

 

2. Hills Carnival entries are due in this week (see the attached flyer). Let me know what events you would like to enter and give me the entry fee tonight or next week. Sadly no-one was able to make the State Champ's in Canberra, so this is our big opportunity to make amends.

 

3. Social Outing: Dinner at "La Vita" 1/71 Hoxton Park Rd, Liverpool, Ph: 9601 0155 on Friday 26th October. Please RSVP with numbers to Liz at ebuscaino@hello.net.au

 

4. New members for 2008 can join now and be registered through to the end of next year. Let yout friends know.

 

Unfortunately the Australian and New Zealand Rugby teams didn't hold up their ends, so the much aniticipated semi-final matchup won't be happening. Sadly having a night out to watch the Poms and Frogs go around doesn't have the same aura.

 

See you in the pool!

Sean

 

One of my associates is fond of 'sharing' Crikey articles with me, despite my lack of enthusiasm.

I am sure Crikey would generate much more interest if it talked about the matters of real importance to the average Aussie battler. Below are graphs from Google’s trend analysis (a useful tool they have introduced with their Election 2007 coverage) that demonstrates Cricket (seasonal), Education, Football (seasonal) and Health are the items that people are really looking for information about. The lower graph indicates the corresponding number of news articles written about these categories (clearly the media in general need to have a hard look at themselves, particularly in regard to Cricket).

education health football cricket

I can put these into further perspective by correlating them against the typical “big issues” that get talked of by Crikey and others. These happen to be the ones that Google has as default options. Here is the graph of these items against each other.

interest rates climate change economy industrial relations

This looks impressive! But when we throw in cricket we begin to see how important these things are to the average Joe.

interest rates climate change economy industrial relations cricket

And yet there are soo maaany articles written in the news about the economy.

Power to the people, I say! Let them have Cricket, not Crikey!

Libera Veritas!

WYD 2008 meeting

world youth day sydney 2008
campbelltown team news

Only 286 days to go before WYD08

campbelltown team meeting - You are invited to join the Campbelltown WYD08 team this Sunday at 6pm, right after 5pm mass. Join in the Youth Group, Promotions, and Home Stay teams. Organising for the upcoming youth event and Fisher's Ghost.

team shirts and caps - Campbelltown WYD team shirts and caps are on the way.  Shirt and cap pack only $40 in sizes XXL, XL, L and M. Please send your order to Sean Donovan at smp.donovan@gmail.com and payments to Carolyn Baragry.


Upcoming events:
* Saturday 27th October - Youth Event Macarthur
* Saturday 3 November - Festival of Fisher's Ghost Street Parade
* Saturday 10 November - Festival of Fisher's Ghost Street Fair

Next Year
* 26/27 March - Journey of the Cross in Campbelltown, Overnight vigil at St John's
* 15-20 July - WYD week


Check out the web sites at
  http://www.wyd2008.org
  http://www.dow.org.au/wyd2008/home/

State Short Course Championships - Urgent

Greetings LeatherJackets!

The State short course championships are closing Wednesday! If you would like to enter can you let me know ASAP. Please see the attached flyer.

Thanks
Sean

WYD 2008 - Meeting Notes 20070923

world youth day sydney 2008
campbelltown team

Only 294 days to go before WYD08

Notes from team Meeting
Sunday 23.09.2007
6pm
St John's Parish Hall Meeting Room

1. Opening Prayer

2. Attendance - Sean Donovan, Greg Simoni, Mick Webb, Pat Webb, Yuti Diack, Clayton Diack, Erin Byrnes, Dianne Byrnes, Carolyn Baragry, Kylie Moody, Craig Cockroft, Michael Healy, Mary Law.
Apologies - Marylyn Elias, John Verhoeven, Kerry McDonald

3. Prohibited Employment Declaration Forms

4. Reports

a. St John's Fete
GS and CB reported that the stall promoting WYD at the St John's Fete was good practice for future events and provided visibility. WYD posters around the stall and the WYD song and other young Christian music played through the day. WYD Materials handed out. 15 new people interested in participation with the youth group. Free competition for two childrens/seniors movie vouchers drawn at 3pm (winner Lisa Van Loon). Visitors book. It was noted that for the future we should have more signage/banner(s) and merchandise to sell. Unfortunately the uniforms and merchandise were not delivered in time for the Fete.

Two quotes have been obtained for banners (a smaller one for ~$165 and a larger for ~$360). CB and CD will decide on an appropriate banner (or banners) and order.

b. T-Shirts and Hats
SD reported that an initial 25 shirts have been ordered. Thanks to Fr Michael for providing the cheque to pay for the shirts (Please pay $40 for shirt and hat ASAP so that we can pay this back). The embroidery is still being worked on. SD advised that he was not yet happy with the sample provided on Thursday and has asked for some further changes. The hats have been ordered from the WYD site, however they will not despatch these until they have received payment. We are awaiting the invoice.

CD presented some designs for youth T-Shirts, etc and the Youth Group Logo. It was noted that "Against the Grain" seems to have a negative connotation among young people approached, and it was agreed that "Catholic Youth Campbelltown" would be an appropriate youth group name. Use of the wording "Libera Veritas" or "Veritas" with the images was agreed.

c. Youth Group
GS advised that the first official meeting is planned for the 21st October and will be promoted through schools newsletters, parish announcements, newspapers and radio. A permission consent form for under-18's has been reproduced from the Wollongong Diocese youth group manual. Suggestions from the previous meeting included a 6pm start, 2 hour duration, guest speaker (testimony), live band, trivia, raffle, and BBQ with free entry. YMT in Wollongong will be approached to assist. Outcomes from this meeting will include future youth group events, group excursions, world youth day planning, and the filling of youth roles (office bearers).

MW suggested that the personal approach targeting specific potential youth leaders would help a successful outcome.

d. Media
GS advised that the Chronicle, C91.3 and MCR-FM had all run promotional community items for the WYD stall at St John's fete. Samples of media releases for the Youth Group meeting were circulated.

e. Home Stay
MW and PW will attend a training session at the Polding Centre in Sydney on Thursday week. A number of forms have been distributed and information from the WYD Homestay manual.

5. Upcoming Events

a. Macarthur Youthfest - 27th October
This is to be run on Saturday 27th October (clarified, not 17th) by the Wollongong Diocese as part of the WYD lead-up. The parish hall has been booked for this on the 27th. GS to contact Christie Honeysett to confirm details.

b. Fishers Ghost Parade Saturday 3rd November and Street Fair Saturday 10th November
It was agreed that we should walk behind the banner(s) and hand out material rather than have a float. Groups in other Campbelltown parishes will be asked to walk with us in the parade. It was suggested that we could carry a cross in the parade. CB to make enquiries about how to book for the parade and street fair.

c. Journey of the Cross in Campbelltown - Wednesday 26th March
MH advised that he attended a planning meeting at the Catholic Club. UWS did not seem interested in hosting the cross on the day. St John's Parish will be responsible for hosting the cross from the Arts Centre to St John's and overnight. This will require fit people to carry the cross from the arts centre, a group (several strong people needed) to erect the cross in its stand for the evening and to unmount it again in the morning, and people to partake in an all-night vigil. Possibly also a mass in the evening, morning, or both. Some ideas from Broken Bay were circulated.

d. WYD08 week - Monday 14th July to Sunday 20 July
It was noted that some youth expressed an interest in sleeping out at Randwick during the week.


6. Positions Vacant
a. Treasurer - CB volunteered to take on the role of Treasurer
b. Transport co-ordinator - Still vacant

7. Other Business
a. MW moved a vote of thanks to all who helped at the Fete

8. Closing Prayer

Next Meeting Sunday 7th October 6pm

WYD 2008

world youth day sydney 2008
campbelltown team news

Only 301 days to go before WYD08

st john's school fete wyd stall - Please help out at the WYD stall. Contact Carolyn at cbaragry@marsdens.net.au

 

campbelltown team meeting - You are invited to join the Campbelltown WYD08 team this Sunday at 6pm, right after 5pm mass. Join in the Youth Group, Promotions, and Home Stay teams.

team shirts and caps - Campbelltown WYD team shirts and caps are on the way.  Shirt and cap pack only $40 in sizes XXL, XL, L and M. Please send your order to Sean Donovan at smp.donovan@gmail.com


Upcoming events:
* Saturday 22 September - St John's Fete
* Wednesday 17th October - Youth Event Macarthur
* Saturday 3 November - Festival of Fisher's Ghost Street Parade
* Saturday 10 November - Festival of Fisher's Ghost Street Fair


Check out the web sites at
  http://www.wyd2008.org
and
  http://www.dow.org.au/wyd2008/home/

St Peter’s Anglican Church, at our 5th Annual Ecumenical Service on 16th September 2007 at 7.00 pm

Dear Friends,

Here is your invitation to make great use of your next Sunday Night.

The Anglican Church of Campbelltown is hosting a prayer Service from 7 pm this Sunday (16^th September)

You are encouraged to attend. Attached is their official invitation.

Brought to you by F ai t h WorX

 

An Invitation To You.

An invitation is extended to you to join the Congregation of St Peter's Anglican Church, at our 5^th Annual Ecumenical Service on 16^th September 2007 at 7.00 pm.

 It will be a time of worship and Prayer for unity between Catholics and Anglicans,

but all denominations are welcome.

Our guest preacher will be the Catholic Bishop of Wollongong "Bishop Peter Ingham".

Fifty members from "The Macarthur Singers" will be leading us in worship and the whole service will be recorded.

Other guests will include the Poor Clare Nuns and the Lutheran Evangelical Sisters of Mary.

Please join us in this wonderful celebration. Supper will be provided afterwards.

The Service will be:-

The ORDER

for

EVENING

PRAYER

From

The BOOK of

COMMON

PRAYER

(1662)

 

Notes from WYD08 Meeting

Notes from WYD08 Meeting

Sunday 9th September 2007 at 6pm

St John's Parish Hall Meeting Room

 

Next Meeting Date: Sunday 23rd September at 6pm

 

1. Receive the Power Anthem

 

2. Brother John reprised the timetable and activities for WYD08

 

3. Group split into three teams

a. Youth Group

b. Home Stay

c. Promotion

 

Notes of Promotion Meeting

c1. Prohibited Employment Declaration forms distributed for completion to Br John before the next meeting.

 

c2. Four people from Campbelltown attended the youth leadership training day on Saturday 8th September. The morning was spent discussing the duty of care requirements for youth groups. Afternoon covered public testimony skills.

 

c3. Upcoming Events

 

*** 22nd September Saturday - St John's Fete

Carolyn Baragry advised that a stall has been booked for the Fete. Materials and volunteers now required. Please contact Carolyn at cbaragry@marsdens.net.au

 

*** 17th October Wednesday - Youth Event Macarthur

Probably to be held in the St John's Hall. Details to be finalised.

 

*** 3rd November Saturday - Fisher's Ghost Street Parade

*** 10th November Saturday - Fisher's Ghost Street Fair

Carolyn Baragry to investigate how we can register for these events. Call for anyone who has a truck that would be available as a float for the Street Parade.

 

*** 26th March 2008 Wednesday - Journey of the Cross

 

*** April 2008 - Campbelltown Show

 

 

c4. Campbelltown WYD Banner

Kerry McDonald will follow up with her brother-in-law.

 

c5. Use of Logo

Sean Donovan advised that we have approval to use the logo for promotional events and correspondence. There are restrictions on the use of the logo with any other corporate or sponsorship logo's. A file has been provided by WYD of the official logo.

 

c6. Fundraising

Sean Donovan advised that the fundraising code has been obtained. However, much of the merchandise at the WYD shop is not available when using this code. A printout of available fundraising items was provided by Brother John. The team selected items to be purchased (hopefully to be delivered in time for the Fete) by Brother John.

 

c7. T-Shirts

Sean Donovan advised that no discount is available on the WYD shirts selected at the previous meeting. It will therefore be cheaper to have our own shirts made. Sean will organise these. If anyone knows a local Catholic supplier please let Sean know, otherwise he will use his usual supplier in Botany.

 

c8. Draft promotional letters

A list of local groups and media for promotion was provided by Greg Simoni. It was suggested that Brother John may be able to provide a longer list of local Christian and Catholic contacts.

 

Greg also provided sample media releases. Some improvements were suggested and passed on to Greg.

 

 

4. The full meeting reconvened with closing comments and prayer.

 

Next Meeting Date: Sunday 23rd September at 6pm

 

WYD 2008

world youth day sydney 2008
campbelltown team meeting

You are invited to join the Campbelltown WYD08 team this Sunday at 6pm, right after 5pm mass.

There are only 314 days to go before WYD08 in Sydney. Be a part of this global event of praise and worship. Use your talents for God! Youth and adults are welcome to participate.

Upcoming events:
* 8th September Saturday - Youth Leadership Training at Bellambi - Contact Christy Honeysett for further information on youth@dow.org.au
* 22nd September Saturday - St John's Fete
* Saturday 3 November - Festival of Fisher's Ghost Street Parade
* Saturday 10 November - Festival of Fisher's Ghost Street Fair


Check out the web sites at
  http://www.wyd2008.org
and
  http://www.dow.org.au/wyd2008/home/

FW: Wests Long distance Meet

Greetings LeatherJackets!

* Forwarding details for Wests long distance carnival (attached). A chance to set some 1500m records.

Upcoming carnivals:
- NSW Short Course Championships at Tuggeranong in the ACT on 20-21 October. Entries close 26th September. $20 + $3 per swim
- Hills Carnival Saturday 3rd November. Entries close 12th October. $12.
- Wests Saturday 1st December. Closes 9th November. $15.

* Social outing - Keep 18-19 and 25-26 October free. More details soon.

See you in the pool on Tuesday.
Sean

 

---

From: Masters Swimming NSW [mailto:msnsw@aussimastswimnsw.org.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 4 September 2007 5:23 PM
To: Masters Swimming NSW
Subject: Wests Long distance Meet

 

Hi All,

Please find attached the flyer for the long Course Long distance Meet to be held at the Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre at Lidcombe on December 1.

 

Please use the attached summary sheet for entries by the manual closing date. Electronic entries close a week later for this meet also.

 

Thanks for your assistance in sending out this flyer.

Regards,

 

 

Di Coxon-Ellis

Administrator, Masters Swimming NSW

Try AUSSI Masters Swimming for fun, fitness and friendship.

Phone 02 8116 9716 Fax 02 8732 1606

Website www.aussimastswimnsw.org.au

 

 

The Catholic Church in China

The Catholic Church in China
presented by Sean Donovan

The Holy Father issued, in late May 2007, his letter to Chinese Catholics calling for unity between the 'underground' and 'state sanctioned' members of the Church.

Sean Donovan has recently returned from two months study in Chinese International Relations at Fudan University in Shanghai where he wrote two papers on China's position in the globalised group of nations. As part of this work he completed a case study looking at the current situation of the Catholic Church in China. He also experienced the Catholic Church life in Shanghai and Beijing.

You are invited to come to a presentation and discussion of the history and status of the Catholic Church in China. Sean will discuss the  operation of the communist system in controlling Church activities and the ongoing persecution of Church members.

Where: St John's Hall Meeting Room
When: Sunday, 2nd September
Time: 6:30pm

WYD08 Meeting Notes

Notes from the WYD08 Meeting
Sunday 26 August 2007 at 6pm
St John's Parish Hall Meeting Room

Please let me know if there are any amendments required.
Next Meeting Date:  Sunday 9th September at 6pm


1. "Receive the Power" anthem - lyrics distributed and sung

2. The home stay co-ordinators will be Pat and Mick Webb. Anyone wishing to offer their homes for visiting pilgrims should contact Pat or Mick.

3. Calendar - Upcoming events

***  8th September Saturday - Youth Leadership Training

Youth Leadership Training - a day to inform and train people of any age interested in Catholic youth or young adult ministry. This is particularly important for those currently involved in leading a Catholic youth group, youth events or youth retreats or those intending to be involved in leading in the future.

Saturday 8 September 10.00am - 4.00pm at Xavier Centre Bond Street Bellambi

The day will include: Child Protection Information for youth groups, youth weekends & youth events, and Public Speaking and witnessing to your faith - a workshop on sharing your faith journey. Cost – gold coin donation. Lunch is provided. Contact Christy Honeysett for further information on youth@dow.org.au


*** 22nd September Saturday - St John's Fete

A stall is to be organised and manned through the day. Carolyn Baragry will make enquiries about getting a stall. Youth required to man on the stall.


*** 26th March 2008 Wednesday - Journey of the Cross (Heads Up)

The WYD cross will be in the Campbelltown area from 24th to 28th March 2008, but specifically in Campbelltown on 26th March. It will move from St Gregory's in the morning, to UWS at lunch, St Patrick's in the afternoon, then the Art Gallery for the main celebrations at 6pm, and then overnighting at St John the Evangelist. The cross will then move on to Narellan.



4. Support Teams - Co-ordinators

Home Stay - Pat and Mick Webb
Publicity/Fundraising - Greg Simoni - simoni1@iinet.com.au
Auxilliary/Functions - Carolyn Baragry - cbaragry@marsden.net.au

Positions still to be filled
Treasurer - Anyone good with accounts?
Transport - Arranging transport for those with no car

5. Promotions

*** Kerry McDonald will investigate contacts and opportunities for in-school promotions. Past WYD attendees to be asked to speak (please contact us if you know anyone who has attended).

*** Shirts - The WYD shirt selection was viewed and it was agreed that Campbelltown would use the bright blue collared shirts. These stand-out and will be readily identifiable as WYD. The Youth Group will also use these shirts until after WYD for consistency. Sean Donovan will lodge a request for a fundraiser code which will entitle us to a discount (percentage to be confirmed).

*** Greg Simoni tabled a draft WYD letter to be sent. We will apply for approval to use the WYD logo for the youth group. Greg advised that the Youth Group will meet next Sunday at 3pm. Greg will also contact the youth group co-ordinators at neighbouring parishes to find out what they are doing and arrange joint events.


6. Other items

*** Various newsletters and notes distributed
*** Prohibited Persons declaration forms will be available at the next meeting
*** It was agreed that meetings will be held each fortnight on Sunday at 6pm

Next Meeting Date:  Sunday 9th September at 6pm


PS.
Following the WYD meeting there was a talk by members of Cursillo ahead of their retreat next weekend. It was suggested that this may also be a good option for those wishing to experience grass-roots Christianity. The WOLLONGONG CATHOLIC CURSILLO will be running a weekend for MEN from 30 August to 2 September, and for WOMEN from 28 September to 1 October. Further details ring Kevin & Margaret French on 4628 9250.

Sad news - please read

I am forwarding this note that relates to one of my work colleagues. She worked a couple of desks up from my office and would often be first in the office each day. I would see her most mornings down at the Gym with her husband. She was a regular at our weekly Catholic masses on campus. Your prayers are requested. She is 32 years old.

 

Sad News and a Request

A lot of you may not know Thi Bui, who works on level 9 in the neo development team, but even so I ask that you please read through this email and consider the request.



The short story
Thi had her 2nd child in May but unfortunately the cancer that she was diagnosed with in about the 20th week of her pregnancy has become terminal and she is not expected to live very long. Her husband Peter is devastated and faced with raising their 2 young daughters alone.

The request
Please consider contributing to a collection that will be sent to her husband Peter. We expect that the money will go towards funeral expenses. Drew is creating a card for Pat with a picture of Thi and we will circulate that to ITD staff in the Tower. Please consider donating to the collection, even if you didn't get a chance to know her, because it can make a difference, even if its a small one, to the family to know that her work colleagues are thinking of her. Money can also be left with ITD Reception, or given to Pat or Julie.
 
The longer story
Thi is a lovely, gentle, quiet woman who adores her family. She started work at UTS in June 2005 and at that time she had a daughter, Gabrielle, who is now 4. Earlier this year, during her 2nd pregnancy, Thi was diagnosed with bowel cancer and she was faced with the impossible decision of continuing the pregnancy or terminating it. She continued as long as she could so that her daughter could be born with the best chance of survival. Annabel was born prematurely by caesarean but is now a healthy baby. After recuperating from the caesarean, Thi had been undergoing chemotherapy but it was not successful. She underwent an operation to remove the growth last week but the cancer had spread and they could not continue the operation. Thi is currently in hospital but has been taken off life support.

Greetings Leatherjackets!

Greetings Leatherjackets!

I have returned from the the land of the Great Wall and Banquets. Time to update on things happening at Liverpool Masters Swimming.

* Kate Travelling: Kate will be away for several weeks travelling. Bon Voyage and come back safely! In Kate's absence she has left us a set of programmes to keep us honest.

* New Memberships for 2008: Masters Swimming has opened new memberships for 2008 with the usual 15 months for the price of 12 deal. If you know anyone who might be interested, let them know. We will be putting some posters up at the pool as well.

* Upcoming carnivals:
- Warringah Carnival Saturday 22nd September. Entries close next week.$18.
- NSW Short Course Championships at Tuggeranong in the ACT on 20-21 October. Entries close 26th September. $20 + $3 per swim
- Hills Carnival Saturday 3rd November. Entries close 12th October. $12.

* Social Events: I have finally put the photo's from the June BBQ up at http://picasaweb.google.com/SMP.Donovan/2007JuneBBQ
Time to start planning the next event! Come to training next week armed with ideas. :-)

* FINA World Master Swimming Championships are only eight months away! 15-25 April in Perth. Start training now!!


See you in the pool!
Sean

Cursillo Talk

Cursillo

Information Evening
Sunday 26th August at 6:30pm
St John's Parish Hall
Cordeaux Street, Campbelltown

If you are wondering about the Cursillo course, and would like to know a little bit more before committing to a full weekend, then please come along this Sunday evening to hear what it is all about and have your questions answered.

The Cursillo is "little course in Christianity" which is intended to give a deeper insight to our relationship with God, our vocation in the church and the importance of an Apostolic Christian Community.

This international movement founded in Spain in the late 1940's and begun in Australia in 1965 offers short courses ('cursillo' in Spanish) in Christian spirituality with ongoing small Christian community development.

The WOLLONGONG CATHOLIC CURSILLO will be running a weekend for MEN from 30 August to 2 September, and for WOMEN from 28 September to 1 October. Further details ring Kevin & Margaret French on 4628 9250.

Beijing Photo's

Hi!

I have posted my Beijing photo's at http://picasaweb.google.com/SMP.Donovan/Beijing

Enjoy!
Sean

FaithWorx - WYD 2008

world youth day sydney 2008
campbelltown team meeting

You are invited to join the Campbelltown WYD08 team this Sunday at 6pm, right after 5pm mass, in the St John's Parish Hall Meeting Room.

There are only 329 days to go before WYD08 in Sydney. Be a part of this global event of praise and worship. Use your talents for God!

Youth and adults are welcome to participate. Perhaps someone you know or someone in your family might also like to join in. Don't be afraid to ask.

Check out the web site at http://www.wyd2008.org

Welcome to Beijing

Welcome to Beijing!

 

I flew to Beijing last Saturday morning. Against my better judgement, as I had so much booty to take back for friends and relatives, I checked some luggage on the flight. Checking luggage is something I don't, as a rule, do because it is such a hassle. This was no exception. We landed at around 11:50am and made our way to the baggage carousel. I was chatting with a fellow traveller from San Francisco who was in China on business. After about an hour his bag made it out and he said his goodbyes. Some time later my flight scrolled off the list and into oblivion. People from other flights arrived at the carousel and started collecting their bags. I went over to the domestic luggage enquiries counter where a number of staff were milling about avoiding eye contact with the many people trying to make enquiries. After several attempts I finally engaged a lady (I use this term under advice) who tapped on a computer and then pointed at the carousel again, simply saying "more coming".

 

Morosely I watched as more passengers came to besiege the carousel. After perhaps another hour and a half my small case made it up the travelator.

 

Then I went to meet the tour guide who was to take me to my hotel. I was assured by the travel agent in Sydney that this would be easy and they would have my name on a placard. There were indeed many placards, with many names. But sadly, none were mine. Finding a relatively quiet spot (underline relatively) and fending off curious children I called the travel agent contact number in Beijing to explain that I had not been able to find my contact at the airport. She asked my name, which provided another 15 minutes of fun. She asked my booking number, then asked me to wait. What else would I do but wait? She then asked at what hotel I was staying. It was at this point that it began to dawn that all was not as it should be. The very helpful lady apologised, but was not able to find my file. She helpfully suggested that I might like to catch a taxi to my hotel. And even more helpfully suggested that I only get into one that has a sign reading "taxi" and that has a meter at the front. I was to call her again when I arrived at the hotel.

 

To put this in perspective, when I arrive at Shanghai six weeks ago, getting a taxi was a dream. You exit unencumbered from the terminal to the taxi rank where a gentleman asks you your destination, hails the cab, tells the driver where to drive, and puts you inside. Wonderful!

 

By contrast, as soon as you move away from the customs area at Beijing airport you are surrounded by dubious gentlemen (and women) offering you special taxi services to the city for the very special rate of ... think up a large number. And they will not go away short of threatening immediate amputation of their more precious appendages. The only safety is to be found in the heaving mass of humanity crowded into the taxi rank. To be sure, Beijing is under construction ahead of the Olympics, and Beijing airport is no different. If the officials and locals are to be believed then all of these construction projects will be magically completed on our about the same date in December this year.

 

But I digress. After spending some further quality time getting to know my fellow travellers in a more intimate way, I finally made it to the front of the queue. As at Shanghai there was a person in a uniform standing to assist. Unlike in Shanghai, this guy was clueless. A vehicle pulled up that could, when viewed from a certain angle, be considered a taxi. Memories of reading about the "Celebration Liberation Machine" filled my mind. It is funny how small essays come back to you at these times.

 

In any case, the individual in the grey, ill-fitting uniform gestured at the piece of metal in front of me as something appeared from the drivers compartment to assist with my meagre posessions. I showed him the hotel details. He looked blankly. I showed him a picture of the hotel. He looked blankly. I said the magic word "Novotel". He looked blankly.

 

Turning to the grey man again, who was now busying himself picking his nose, I sought assistance. He also stared blankly at the paper I held out to him, but in a moment of inspiration called to one of his fellow grey men who came over. He looked at the paper and then told the driver the address in perfect Chinese. The driver looked blankly. As the three of them stood in deep conversation, scratching various parts of their anatomy, I considered other options. Throwing my things into the cab and waving my mobile phone at the driver I cried: "zuo ba" which means either let's go or let's get a beer, I'm not sure which. In either case it had the desired effect on the hulking individual as he re-entered his drivers seat and I phoned the helpful lady at the travel agency again.

 

Explaining to her that I was now in some mode of transport, I gave the phone to the driver so that she could direct him. A flicker of recognition crossed his eyebrow (just the one) and we were off!

 

The helpful lady had checked with the hotel that they had my reservation. I, myself, certainly had reservations. The enjoyment of the hotel will be revealed in the next installment.

 

More Photo Updates

Hi!

 

New photo's from China uploaded at http://picasaweb.google.com/SMP.Donovan/China2007Part3 and some added to http://picasaweb.google.com/SMP.Donovan/China2007Part2

 

Enjoy!

 

Ten More Small Facts About Shanghai

Here are ten more small facts about visiting Shanghai that you may not find in the travel brochure:

1. Always carry toilet paper.
2. The sky is sometimes blue (really).
3. The cicada's look a little different to those in Australia, but they make the same sound.
4. Using the bus and train system is quite good once you know how they work.
5. No one seems to be able to tell you how the bus and train system works.
6. Electronic equipment, such as computers, are more expensive than in Australia.
7. Bicycles are frequently stolen.
8. Bicycles are frequently in poor condition.
9. Watson's seem to be the only store to stock after-shave and deodorant.
10. Nobody seems to sell handkerchiefs.

Another Busy Week in Shanghai

It has been another busy week in Shanghai! This week I played with the folk group in a few masses at St Peter's Church, we had our Chinese written test, and had to give our presentations for our papers! I have yet to start on the second paper, which is due in a week or so, although I have started finding additional references and adding to my bibliography. Anyway, for the most part the course is complete and we had a debrief session today.

I am off to Beijing tomorrow! Exciting, isn't it? The early flight isn't quite so exciting, however, as it means that I will have to be up at the crack of dawn to get to the airport. Should be good to be on the move again.

The Resident Director for the study programme bought my guitar (slightly discounted from the purchase price). I am glad it is going to a good home and hope that he and his wife get plenty of enjoyment out of it. I also gave away a lot of other odd-and-ends that I had collected here, such as a basketball, some books, a bag, and some clothes. They were useful while I was here, but it isn't practical or useful to be carrying these extra things around to Beijing or back to Sydney.

The other night we had a fair-dinkum flood around the hotel. It had rained heavily, but not much more so that previous nights. However I think these regular downpours over a few days gradually backed everything up and .... At the moment I am trying to upload some more photo's so that you can have a look, but the link is a little flakey.

I'm not sure what facilities will be available in Beijing. Hopefully I will have a way to post notes, but probably not upload more photo's until I get back to Oz.

Peace

More Photo's Uploaded

Hi!

I have uploaded some more China trip photo's to http://picasaweb.google.com/SMP.Donovan/China2007Part2 for your viewing pleasure. Previous ones also at http://picasaweb.google.com/SMP.Donovan/China

Enjoy!
Sean

China Update - More

Well it has been a fascinating few days.

 

I learnt to play Ba Shi Fen (80 points). This is, I am told, China's national card game. It is played in pairs, like bridge, but can take a long, long time to play. I have now had three games. The experienced players remember all the cards that have come out and the future possible combinations. I don't.

 

As mentioned previously I have been trying to do more Chinese writing practice, but the weekend didn't really present much time. The exchange student group that I spent a few days with flew out on Saturday. So on Friday night the Chinese students arranged a night out to KTV (a type of karaoke, which is extremely popular here) and a banquet (yes, more food!).

 

On Saturday morning we bade farewell to the exchange student group, then had a china in the world tutorial, which I left early to go for a chinese language tutorial. I am keen to get up to the level of a 3rd grader, so I took along a Mickey Mouse comic. We got as far as the cover and the first bit of the contents, so the 3rd graders aren't in any danger yet.

 

I then headed out to St Peters again for music practice and Mass. My 10 Kuai ($2) capo lasted about three songs! Perhaps I will need to buy the 40 kuai one. The practice was fun. I am learning a lot of new songs.

 

Then it was back to the hotel because the lady who runs the shop had invited a few of us for dinner. Their unit is just across the road, and while it is only small we managed to squeeze in. Men seem to do a lot of the cooking here in Shanghai. Living in the unit are the husband and wife, his sister, and two boys (one for each lady, I think). So it must be a happy family! We had a great time, played some songs on the guitar, played ba shi fen, and chatted - fortunately the others spoke Chinese well. I put in a few phrases here and there. Probably things like "How are you? My cat is ill.". They think I am a funny guy :-)

 

On Sunday we had an organised day with the Fudan students to go to their homes. As it turned out, there were four of them, three girls and one boy. One of the girls took two of our people while the rest of us headed to Nan Jing Road to look at the shops. It appears we were being tailed by some wierd guy who got on the bus with us, got off the bus with us, followed us, stopped when we stopped, went forward, backward and sideways with us. The Chinese students asked him to go away but he just ignored them. Richard even took a few photo's of him. Eventually a couple of police came along so the Chinese students told them about this guy. We then had the comical procession of us, followed by the mystery man, followed by the police. Eventually, when the police were satisfied that he was, indeed, tailing us, they spoke with him and then all walked away somewhere else.

 

We continued with our shopping and lunch, and then split into two groups to go to the girls homes. The unit was very nice with very modern decor. Her dad had cooked up a storm, so after watching a little TV in the lounge room we headed to the dining room and more food. We rounded off the night with a game of ba shi fen - boys vs girls. The boys did very poorly, and I don't think the father was very impressed with my play, despite my vast three days of experience with the game. He drove us back to the hotel and I must say is a much better driver than the taxi drivers.

 

Yesterday I went to the Oracle APAC at the convention centre, although for some reason they didn't start until quite late in the day. There didn't seem to be anything very interesting there, though, and looking through the programme for the coming days there may not be much to go to. In the afternoon I had an appointment to see a fellow at IBM in the Jin Mao Tower. This was much more interesting and he had a wealth of knowledge about China and India, as well as a good understanding of Australia have worked at a high level in Citibank. It turned out his daughter has studied at UTS. Small world.

 

Somewhere in all this I talked to Dad, Robert and Dianne.

 

I finally got some Chinese practice last night, but flaked out pretty early and passed to the land of dreams.

 

Less than two weeks to go in Shanghai!

 

 

20 Small Facts About Shanghai

Some other small facts that I have found interesting so far during my visit to Shanghai:

 

1. Stinky Tofu is really stinky and could make you throw up - Eurgh! The locals love it.

2. Chocolate paddle pops are available and are the cheapest ice cream in the fridge at 1 kuai.

3. Dove chocolate seems to be the only straight chocolate bar in most shops and is relatively expensive - the same price as a full meal for a small bar, about 8 kuai.

4. However, kit-kats are relatively inexpensive at 3 kuai.

5. Bao-zi is the most popular breakfast meal but is a bit heavy on the delicate western stomach. It is however very cheap at 0.6 to 1 kuai.

6. A take-away Pizza costs about 100 kuai.

7. You can eat a full-service banquet at a restaurant with friends for about 15-20 kuai per person (30-50 kuai if you really go expensive).

8. They like to spit. Throat clearing is a national obsession.

9. blogspot is blocket from China (but there are ways).

10. UTS is blocket from China (but there are no ways).

11. The vatican is not blocked from China.

12. Military jets fly over the city several times every day.

13. Google works well, including Google Docs.

14. The summer temperature is similar to Sydney.

15. There are no beaches to go to (or at least ones that you could swim at).

16. A large MacDonalds Big Mac Meal costs about 20 kuai

17. An OK guitar costs about $300 kuai with bag and tuner.

18. There are remarkably few flies.

19. Pomeranians and mini-pomeranians seem to be the most popular dogs.

20. Few building have central air-conditioning. Mostly they have hundreds or thousands of individual air conditioning units for each room.

 

 

 

China Update

Hi All!

 

Another update from China!

 

I have had a couple of games of basketball with some of the Chinese and US students. These being my first games ever I was not exactly too familiar with the rules nor very accurate with getting the ball through the little net. In fact, several of my early attempts sailed way over the top of the back-board (I believe it is called). I learned that "hao-qiu" follows a good shot at goal. Not that I received any "hao-qiu"s myself.

 

At least I got some exercise to hopefully work off some of the massive volume of food I have eaten. I have taken to avoiding unnecessarily large meals where possible, but we still seem to end up having a banquet every other day.

 

I have been putting a lot of time during the past week into our discussion paper. I have put it up on the web at

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df2cbgdx_45cnvvqv

if you would like to have a read. This is the third revision. It has changed a lot from the first draft. Thanks to all who provided thoughts.

 

Last Thursday I went with my room-mate Richard to visit Yu Kai, one of Richard's friends, who was home in Shanghai visiting his parents during his U.S. college break. Yu Kai met us at our hotel and we went to their unit about 20 minutes away by taxi. His mother had prepared a fantastic spread, which I rate as probably the best food I have had in China. I have added some photo's to my album at

http://picasaweb.google.com/SMP.Donovan/China

 

Also on Saturday I went along to St Peter's church with my cheap guitar that I bought and took part in the folk group music practice for a couple fo hours. They did a whole lot of songs that I have never heard. They were also trying to work out some Chinese lyrics for a new song they are learning, so I made a suggestion for that, too! (Although I'm not sure whether it will make it in, but I think it was perfect.) I then went to 5pm vigil mass. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera along. Next week for sure! For a change I decided to take the train. This turned out to be a lot more convenient than the bus, and quicker.

 

On my way out of the hotel on Saturday the lady in the store saw me with my guitar. She is always very friendly and talkative although I sometimes aren't quite sure what language we are using - certainly not English and probably not Chinese. Perhaps the term is Englese witha touch of another dialect. In any case, last night when I popped into the store to buy something she wanted me to bring my guitar down. So I did! I was joined initially by a couple of comrades. After a rather dodgy rendition of a popular Chinese song that we have been learning, I did a couple of instrumentals and then finished with 'Father and Son' as I thought this would bridge both the cultural and generational gaps (having been recently re-released by some current boy-band). Well, we certainly drew a crowd! My unexpected payment was a cold bottle of water - my first professional gig in China!

 

Over the last couple of days I have tried to do more character writing practice. This has gone by the wayside through the first few weeks as I was doing all the reading and writing for the academic side of the course. But now I really want to concentrate properly on the language component. Our language classes have been a bit sporadic to date, but hopefully they will be more regular from here forward.

 

Next Saturday I'll be off to the folk group practice and mass again. Then next week there is the Oracle conference and a meeting with a local IBM representative on Monday. I'd better find out where to iron my shirts.

 

That's all for the moment.

Sean