Magic Pudding Climate Policy

Our gobsmackingly ridiculous government has finally made a pathetic attempt to announce a 'climate policy' - net zero by 2050 - just in time for COP 26. Of course it won't do anything to make it possible to live on a burning planet, but more importantly it won't disadvantage any sector of the economy either, particularly their buddies in fossil fuel or mining. It will also keep the farmers happy, even though many have seen the writing on the wall and started moving across to new ways of doing things.

This policy is so gutless, so nebulous and so perfect in its ability to feed everyone - it's been dubbed the 'Magic Pudding Climate Policy'*. I'd already tagged it thus before one of my favourite ABC journos called it.

Oh yeh, and because the government really 'struggled' to get agreement between the 2 coalition parties that enble it to hold power, this amazing policy has a 'badge of authenticity'. FFS. Do they really think we are that stupid. Obviously many are, because they have continued to vote for them - through 20+ years of climate wars in this country.

I hope our prime minister's arse gets roasted at the next election.

* The concept behind Norman Lindsay's Magic Pudding is that it replaces itself and therefore has the ability to feed (please) everyone.

Image 1: Parody photo-collage by author.

Image 2: Norman Lindsay's 'Magic Pudding', 1945.

One day at a time

After dropping a bombshell at my place of employment last week I've been met with silence. I haven't heard from anyone there. It's a bit disturbing, especially when you have dreams that your boss is really angry and won't forgive you. Inevitable I guess. I'm dreading going back to retrieve some personal items and say goodbye.

I'm still working through the necessities of getting my health back on track. Some of my time is spent attending naturopathic and medical appointments, and probably will be for some time. But my partner and I went for a boogie board bash in slightly challenging conditions yesterday. My stamina was poor because the set of muscles required for this activity haven't been engaged for months, but the water was a crystal clear turquoise under a clear blue sky in light winds. Submerging myself in the ocean always makes me feel better. Getting tumbled is also good for severely inflamed and clogged sinuses. I got 5 hours respite before symptoms kicked in again.

I'm slowly moving towards more creative pursuits and finally finished off my quokka. He is now part of a poster I am designing to educate people about the relationship between trees and rain, basically that LESS TREES = LESS RAIN.

I had to share this unbelievably cute photo of a baby wombat peering out of its mother's pouch. 

Original artwork by author.

Photo courtesy of the Conservation Council, ACT. 

A door closes

Well I've done it - I've quit my well-paying, 2 day a week job. 

I can't afford to and there are many other reasons I should stay, but these are all 'head' constructs. The 'heart' reality is that my heart is no longer in it and the stress has been making me ill.

I sent the email to my boss this morning. It was a difficult email to write and I know it will have huge flow on effects. I console myself with the knowledge that I gave everything I could for 5 years and 1 school term. I'm exhausted and I can't do it any more.

I needed the space to sort out what was really going on. In the end I needed less space than I thought because I made the decision in about 2 weeks. One of the key indicators I am on the wrong road is that I haven't been doing anything creatively for myself for quite a while. Serendipitously it was this meme I randomly came across on Facebook that triggered my decision - and the question I asked myself: 

wtf am I doing trying to function in a completely dysfunctional uncreative patriarchal system?

I couldn't find an acceptable answer, so here I am.

What's next? I don't know. I have some vague idea about completing my Certificate IV in Mental Health - I've done a few units already. Other than that, nothing. I'll keep engaging in my environmental activism but that's voluntary. 

I guess I'll go along with the medical model for a while and get a heart ultrasound done (though they found nothing abnormal when I had one last year, after misdiagnosing an ulcer - probably stress-related) and do a heart stress test as well. I had to request to be bulk-billed. Technically I am on the 'poverty-line' in regards to income, but I don't get any concessions. My first visit to a doctor a few weeks ago to get steroid medication for severe headaches as a result of chronic sinus issues cost me $126 - of which only $75 was returned to me.

I'll invest some more money in my Naturopath who, unlike the medical system, seems to have a more nuanced appreciation of the mechanisms of hypothyroidism (not all TSHs* are the same).  She'll get some blood tests done to assess what is going on and we can go from there. She also knows a lot more about diet than the doctor I saw who told me that cow's milk has more calcium than soy so is better for you. A quick Google will tell you otherwise (cow's milk also has more fat unless you use no-fat, which tastes like cardboard):

Advice like this doesn't increase my confidence in the medical system. I must say that I am very grateful for their input when it comes to the mechanical side of things - they are brilliant at reconstructing broken bodies, removing blockages and bits that don't work any more, and replacing them with bits that do work. But when it comes to an appreciation of the holistic aspects of the body-mind relationship, they generally have a long way to go.

My partner tells me that you have to close one door before another opens. We'll see what's next.

*Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

Images: Referencing on images.

Chart: I've lost the reference but a quick Google will probably get you there. 

Poets vs Politicians

As an artist I really resonate with this. 

The destruction of a world dominated by left-brained logic and rationalism is damning proof of its veracity.

And it has focused my mind on something I regularly forget. So I will now ask myself - wtf am I doing trying to function in a completely dysfunctional uncreative patriarchal system? 

No wonder I'm sick.

Time to re-evaluate and make some new choices.

Image: Another random Facebook meme, with credits to the wise man who spoke the words.

People Are Like Flowers

I should be at work but I'm home because I've hit a bit of a 'brick wall'. I suspect it's just burnout - something like chronic or adrenal fatigue. I'm going to get some medical input but figure it's most likely going to be a case of me taking time out and putting myself back together again.

It was inevitable and it has happened before. Of course I can't afford to take time off work because I'm a casual, but my boss is being as supportive as he can be. It won't replace my 2 days a week income but he is looking at allowing me to work on some documents for the new training package for my art course at home and wants me back as soon as I am able. You can't ask for more than that.

Image: Random photo of Mona Meier's from the internet, words by me.