DesDownunder

Fundamentalist, Fun: what is that?, Fund: money did someone say money? -da: couldn't say it better dah, -mental: seems right, Don't you just love English?

Paul, Many thanks for your confirmation of the value of Prof. Lessig's work. You have managed to read more of his book than I have. My free time has been incredibly absorbed by work for awhile. I would love to correspond with you on his work either in forum or email. I agree with you that Free Culture is a valuable resource for all. All I know about Professor Lessig is contained in his site with the link to the book. (Click on the "Lessig.Org" link. As I work in the "arts industry" I constantly find creativity (both others and myself) hamstrung by copyright issues. However, the first real problem seems to be corporate mentality restricting personal free expression by employment contract clauses limiting the workers self esteem. Perhaps that seems like another subject but it is being used to initiate copyright control over employees' work. The difficulty here is that creative activity needs freedom of expression in an atmosphere of trust. Such contracts are limiting both. Sadly this comes about through ignorance of the creative process by management. As to posting in Graeme's thread, maybe the moderator would consider transferring this correspondence to there. I will keep an eye on it when time permits, hopefully next week. Thanks again for your reply.

Dickheads dictating - I like that. Dickhead; definition (mine): A dickhead is some one who has forgotten how to masturbate and plays with their brain instead. The results of course are nowhere near as interesting, but are mostly messier, (for the rest of us). Dickheads do seem to be prominent in positions of power such as petty bureaucrats and senior elected officials. To Graeme's 2 cents worth (more Aussie cents makes sense), I would add the common occurrence of our Aussie High-school teachers setting their under 18 year-old students, movies to study, that have been legally classified as "Restricted to persons over the age of 18." This is somewhat bizarre, whatever your stand on censorship. I think Graeme's comments have much common sense. The trouble with common sense is that it is not very common at all. Then again the dickheads seem to be trying to stop us from being common with each other, even when we are over 18.

I don't know if everyone has seen this old chestnut so I thought I would throw it in. I still chuckle when I hear it. There was a young man from Kent Whose dick was terribly bent One day to save trouble He put it in double And instead of cumming, he went.

I agree with you blue. ......... The sentiment of Gabe's poem would have been a real hit in the '60s. I think this is one hell of a good poem. It exposes, It reveals, It shows a determination to do good in the face of oppression. And all from a spoon. Stunning.

What have I done?

Shouldn't that be ... bare with us! #-o OK Dude, the new look will take getting use to, but hey I'm just glad the forums are still here. And it should be easier to read. It's growing on me. In fact it is quite good. I think I like it. Yes I do. It's great. ;-)

A minor correction, it was paul who made this very valid observation in reply to one of my posts. I just had to stand upside down on my head to navigate the new look #-o of the forums, so I could mention this. Oh well I guess we will soon get use to the new look. At least it isn't bright pink. :D

I empathise with your position, jamessavik. Here in Australia, conservative right wing policies have taken over both our major political parties. In fact it seems that, The Right thinks it is right, The left acts as if it is Right, Making the politically correct, just plain wrong.

You captured that feeling beautifully Tragic Rabbit. You transported me to terrifying memories I now cherish. Thank you.

A fine point, sir. I often wonder about Black republicans along the same lines. How can you be for a party that thinks you're a lesser being? Seems to me that both these arise from inferiority complexes compounded by a kind of self loathing often generated by the guilt association forced upon the individual to control them. e.g., "You are not good enough to think for yourself." It is one of the great absurdities of life that we humans will accept, without question, someone else's definition of ourselves even if it is derogatory, let alone untrue. So our example becomes the thought: "I am not good enough to think I am worthy." This can degenerate rather quickly into, " I am not worthy at all." The fact is it is often easier to accept such definitions because it saves us the trouble of working out who we are for ourselves. The two examples above are indeed absurd even paradoxical, but they do happen. This situation is even worse because neither the "party"* nor the person may be aware of the manipulation that is occurring. Accepting responsibility for ourselves is fraught with danger and difficulty, but is one of the first steps to becoming a caring human individual. When we surrender that right of personal responsibility, we lose our self esteem and our access to human dignity. So sad. Of course these are just my thoughts.

To follow from jamessavik: "Hello you have reached the suicide hot-line. We are busy praying with other suicides at the moment. Please wait as our prayers are important for you. If you are gay or lesbian please push 2 on your phone dial for detailed instructions on suicide." Yes, I am I hope being sarcastic.

I suspect that the proposed action to replace the present suicide line with a "faith based" one will only serve to increase the number of suicides. Maybe the government strategy is too decrease the world's over-population. Here in Australia I am told that our abortion advice phone line is now run by fundamentalist church groups. They evidently berate the callers for even thinking of an abortion. I hope that is not true. Compassion for our fellow human beings seems somewhat in decline. Des.

I second that nomination, great story, told with human drama. I would also like to nominate Cole Parker's "Tim", (high school section.) Des

Yes Jason I agree with you. AwesomeDude has both inspired and entertained me. My interest in writing has been rekindled by the people here. I did not finish high school either. I agree with blue when he says so clearly: "...what makes us human. That, you don't really learn in school. " May I add my thanks and appreciation to all the awesome dudes. Des.

Tragic Rabbit, Wow! what an explanation. Thank You. And here I was thinking that The Bull Pen was a writing implement used by literate cattle. Oh well, I'm wrong again :oops: Des.

This might seem a little off topic at first, but I think if you are interested in where we (humans) might be headed with creativity in general and who is controlling what, then Professor Lessig's book makes damn interesting reading at least. The pdf file amongst other formats is available at: http://www.free-culture.cc/freecontent/ Any thoughts? I've only just started reading it myself but he touches on the origins and future of copyright as well as other cultural aspects of creativity. Des.

Thanks Pecman. I am already doing some of these things. I wonder what would have happened had I published my story first before those stories with similar sequences. It probably means that I need to raise the level of my "original thought" a notch or two. I may have to just allow gestation of the idea a little more growth or even flexibility. In any case your suggestions are most welcome and appreciated. Thanks Des

Camy, I always enjoy knowing that I have sent shivers down a spine. :) Glad you like the imagery. Thanks for the comments. Des.

I struck the same problem, blue. When I posted my reply I was greeted with the giant wanker. Almost fell off my chair. LOL

Congratulations! You have proven that poetry can be a real good w*nk. You made me laugh. And yes I love it too.

Thanks blue. Narrative has always been my favourite form. Des.

Codey, Jason: Thank you so much. I'm glad you liked it. The ending came to me suddenly after the rest was finished. I was originally aiming for a total desolation, but having reached that moment this ending popped up, and somewhat surprised me too. lol.

To Love in Silence By DesDownunder I sit in silence, awaiting his return. Silent thoughts wandering alone in my mind. Thoughts of his happiness, and of my sorrow. Sorrow that began when he told me all his dreams. Dreams I must ever guard with my silence. It hurts that his dreams are not the same as mine. Mine, unknown to him, were already realised. Realised when together we bought this house. The house we have shared with each other as home, A home where I could love him in silence. Perhaps it would be best I quietly leave, Leave while he's away proposing to his girl, The girl of his dreams and of my shattered hopes Hopes that as they must, now become my despair. Despair I must conceal with my silence. He will come home to announce his happy news News that will rend my heart from my chest Still beating and beating till it is still While he dances his steps of life and love And my love lives and dies in its silence. He once told me friendship can give life to love. My love is for him but his love is for her And she deserves it all, for she adores him With devotion that makes me love her as well. I am cursed to love them both in silence. I must be seen rejoicing in their union I shall give them both my blessing and this house. I'll sign the deed to him as a wedding gift A gift for him to find after I have gone. To applaud their love and deny my silence. I must hurry because he will soon return. My tears try to sign the deed. I hear his car. I cannot see where to sign it. He is here I'm too late to escape with myself intact He walks in. No word, no sound can be heard. We stand facing each other like ancient statues Carved from the granite of youth, by the tools of gods. Gods so envious that they make us both to cry. But he should not be weeping. What has happened? "She will not have me. She says it's you I love. And she is right. I have loved you in silence." ... ___