Graeme
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Posts posted by Graeme
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Sorry, but no. I lost touch with them when I went through a writing hiatus a number of years ago.Maybe Graeme still has some contact with the Mail Crew lot.
I would love to know how they are all doing, but my only contact with them was through their public email account. When I tried, there was no response.
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Here's an interesting article on Gender Fluidity about teenagers who don't consistently think they're boys or girls. My first thought was that this is transgender, but it seems that it's more that they're androgynous -- boy or girl, as needed/wanted.
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Mysteries are tough to write. I've written two stories that had a mystery component and most people worked out the first one without a lot of trouble. It's a definite skill to be able to write mysteries where the mystery isn't solved by the reader well before the ending.
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There wasn't an earlier thread just for the story, but it was mentioned several times in the 2013 Halloween Collection thread. It's a great story that I would have loved to seen expanded into a novella or even a novel.
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George Takei posted the link for this article today. Thought it'd be interesting to see if this succeeds.
I can see this being counterproductive. A presidential candidate is going to be attacked by what many would consider to be a criminal organisation. That's going to gather sympathy for him unless they find real dirt to spread. If it's just cyber-attacks on his websites, that's not going to help.
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LOL -- I didn't realise this was a real-life tale. However, I suspected something similar to what you've suggested
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Nice, though I think it would be more interesting if the noise was described. Was it footsteps (a squatter, another intruder, or maybe a zombie) or rustling (as someone move past a tapestry or curtain, or maybe the movement of a ghost coming to check on who was in the house), or something else?
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Chapter 16 is now online - The Legend of Schrodinger's Queer
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Sporting codes to be scored on inclusionary measures under Pride In Sport Index
While I appreciate why this is being done, I can't help feel a few qualms. All I can hope is that it's only needed for a maybe a decade and then it can die a nice death because it's become irrelevant. Of course, I also know I'm an optimist...
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I hope the pitcher mentioned above continues to play baseball. Wouldn't be surprised to see him at the LLWS in three years or so.
You missed the post above. He was shot and killed last year.
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This is a really tough question, because it depends on so many factors whose weighting can vary over time or even mood!
I would also distinguish between my novels and short stories because I don't feel you can compare the two. What you look for in a short story is very different to what you look for in a novel. I know judges in shows have to do things like compare the best of two different breeds of the same animal, but they're professionals (usually). I'm just a writer who does this as a hobby.
My favourite novel is, at the moment and subject to change without notice, Leopard Spots. But it's not one I'd recommend for a first-time reader because it's the second book in a series. I picked it because while there are other novels I really like, they have flaws in them that detract. I also loved the complexity of the story line, with lots of interwoven story arcs that kept the story moving as one arc finished and another arc starts to hit its peak. However, Leopard Spots itself isn't completely standalone because there's a book three that's just started posting...
My favourite short story is...whichever I'm reading at the time. Sorry, I just can't pick one.
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My boys used to call what you call 'tag' 'tiggy'... And it's 'footy' (Australian Rules Football), soccer, or rugby (which in turn could be 'union' or 'league').
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I'm currently editing an Englishman's story, and the differences in our two languages can be perplexing. They use prepositions differently than we do. If they use 'on' where we use 'in', should I correct it, or not?
As the recipient of American early readers and editor, my recommendation is to flag it for the author to decide. What happens with my stories is that my first reader will flag anything that reads odd to him so I can decide if it's a typo (which it could be) or an Australian colloquialism (also quite possible). The same applies when my editor goes through and makes changes. Most of the time, I allow Americanisms to remain because Australia is actually multicultural with a lot of phrases (the American, British, or Australian versions can all be used here, depending on the speaker), and only change them back if I feel that it no longer sounds plausible for an Australian to use that phrasing.
I think if the meaning is clear, you should leave the British on their side of the Atlantic (and the Aussies on their side of the Pacific). Sometimes in editing, though, I will make a change ('on' to 'in', for example) because I don't know if the Aussie or Brit has made an error. If the meaning is not clear or is misleading across the waters, then something needs to be changed. I had a recent instance where someone got 'onto' a board in order to pursue a change. I assumed they were elected or appointed to the board. But that was not the case; they were onto the board to object to something; we in North America use 'she was onto me for my bad behavior' in the same sense as 'onto a board' was intended. Anyway, some rewording clarified the text.
And this is why I like using an American editor
I want my stories to be understandable in America as well as Australia and Europe. It's the little linguistic phrases that only a native will understand, but being a native I don't realise that everyone else doesn't have the same understanding. -
More photos, courtesy of the Sydney Morning Herald. For those who don't know , Bill Shorten is the federal Leader of the Opposition (who's hoping he'll be Australia's next Prime Minister later this year) and the Sydney Stingers are a LBGTI-friendly water polo club.
One thing I'm surprised I haven't seen photos of is the float with the Australian Olympians, lead by the Daniel Kowalski who came out after he retired from international swimming. It's mentioned in news reports, but I haven't seen any pictures.
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It was originally held as part of the international Gay Solidarity Celebrations to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, with the first march being held in the Winter months (June, 1978). It was later moved to March so the marchers could enjoy the better weather at the end of Summer.
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Thanks for the kind words, everyone!
It's been pointed out to me that the link to the Western Bulldog's code of conduct in the Author's Notes for chapter 1 is broken. It will hopefully get fixed shortly, but in the meantime I just thought I'd go looking at some of the AFL club websites to see what other clubs said. Only a few have an explicit code of conduct on their website, but others have it as part of the membership terms and conditions. Here's a few (including the corrected one for the Western Bulldogs):
As Western Bulldogs Members we will abide by the values and the fundamental principles of our Club. While barracking and cheering are a part of our great game, Western Bulldogs members are accountable to the code of conduct that is represented through the Be Loud, Be Fair campaign.
Western Bulldogs Membership Code of Conduct:
1.) As a member of the Western Bulldogs Football Club, I will conduct myself in way which contributes to Western Bulldogs events being family-friendly enjoyable experiences for all who attend - this means refraining from engaging in disruptive and/or violent behaviour, foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.
2.) I will not engage in nor endorse any form of vilification on the basis of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, age or sexuality.
3.) While at Western Bulldogs games and events, I will not engage in conduct that could bring the Club or the game of Australian rules football into disrepute.
4.) In any forum, including in the media, where I am acting as a Western Bulldogs Member or am identifiable as a Bulldogs Member, I will not engage in conduct that could bring the Club or Australian rules football into disrepute.
5.) As a Western Bulldogs member, I have the right to hold and express robust views about our Club, our Board, Club Management and employees; and our players and team, but I will not display behaviour and language that is abusive or malicious.
6.) Should I breach any of the above conditions of membership, I understand the Club has the right to act in the following ways:
- Provide compulsory education sessions to correct any behaviours that are in conflict of the Code of Conduct
- Temporarily suspend membership until conflicting behaviours are resolved
- Revoke membership rights and privileges permanently should the Club deem the offence necessary of such action
“As a Club, we are against all forms of abuse, or any other action that degrades or disparages people and negatively impacts their match-day experience, our Club is for everyone and we want our fans to be expressive and in full voice when supporting our team, but we also expect that they are mindful of their surroundings.”Peter Gordon
President
Western Bulldogs Football Club2015 ST KILDA FOOTBALL CLUB MEMBERSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The below terms and conditions govern the purchase of an St Kilda Football Club (St Kilda) Membership for season 2016. These terms and conditions are correct at the time of publishing but can change at any time at St Kilda’s discretion, in which case you will be notified of the relevant changes.
MEMBERS CODE OF CONDUCT
Whilst barracking and supporting your club is a vital part of the game, offensive language and gestures are not in the spirit of the game. Likewise, aggressive behaviour, including yelling and swearing when dealing with St Kilda staff, representatives or event staff will not be tolerated.
Furthermore, St Kilda Members who consume alcohol on a game day are to do so responsibly so that their behaviour does not adversely impact the event for other patrons within the reserve. Drunkenness at any level will not be tolerated.
Bullying and vilification towards players or other supporters is also unacceptable. By being a St Kilda Member, you are agreeing to be tolerant of diversity and to be inclusive of other members and supporters.
St Kilda Members who breach this code of conduct may face membership penalties including cancellation without refund. If a St Kilda Member is to encounter a problem on the day/night of a game, we ask that they contact an attendant or security guard to assist in dealing with the problem.
11. Club Member Code of Conduct
While barracking and supporting your club is a vital part of the game, offensive or aggressive behaviour (including yelling and swearing when dealing with Club staff, agents or AFL or other event staff) will not be tolerated. Club Members who consume alcohol on a match day are to do so responsibly. Drunkenness will not be tolerated. Club Members who breach the behaviour code of conduct may face penalties including cancellation of Membership without refund. The Club endorses the AFL’s stance on vilification and has a zero-tolerance for members or supporters that abuse the opposition, opposition supporters, or umpires on grounds of race, religion, gender and sexuality.
And, for completeness, the AFL Vilification and Discrimination Policy
The AFL industry does not tolerate vilification in any form and is committed to ensuring safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for all people involved in Australian Football.
The AFL aims to address the issue of vilification and discrimination at all levels of Australian Football through the AFL Vilification and Discrimination Policy, which states:
“No League Participant or Club Official shall engage in conduct which may reasonably be considered to incite hatred towards, contempt for, ridicule of or discrimination against a person or group of persons on the ground of their:
- Race;
- Religion;
- Gender;
- Colour;
- Sexual preference, orientation or identity; or
- Special ability or disability.”
The issue of vilification and discrimination affects many sectors of the community and can significantly impact the health and well-being of both individuals and community groups. The following statistics show the importance of creating safe and welcoming environments for all people, regardless of their background.
- Research has established clear links between ethnic and race-based discrimination with issues such as depression, psychological distress, stress and anxiety.
- Almost a quarter (24.6 per cent) of Australia's population was born overseas and 43.1 per cent of people have at least one overseas-born parent.
- Indigenous players make up 6.5% of community football players. The percentage of Indigenous people in Australia is around 2.5%.
- Nearly 45% of the Australian population will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives.
- There are currently around 95,000 women playing football.
- 8.6% of men and 15.1% of women reported feelings of attraction to the same gender.
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This report has it as at least 300,000 spectators, but otherwise, yes, it's a big parade
That link also has a small selection of photos. Our Prime Minister attended, the first Prime Minister to do so, but that's not really unexpected. The parade goes through the heart of his electoral district so he's also the local member of parliament and has been attending the parade for years. -
Sydney readies for the 38th Mardi Gras parade
To be honest, I'm only really linking this for a couple of the images that are on the article:
and the image on the Twitter post from the Sydney Swans football club
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Very nice
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As a partial indication of how far Australia has come since those days, the National Rugby League (NRL) will have a float in this year's Mardi Gras parade. And as an indication of how far we still have to go, the Federal Government has initiated an inquiry into an anti-bullying campaign for schools that focuses on gay, lesbian, and transgender students.
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Sydney Mardi Gras - NSW Government apologies to first generation of protesters
Also in the article is the apology from the Sydney Morning Herald for publishing the names and details of those arrested on the front page back in 1978.
It's amazing how far Australian culture has come in the last almost 40 years, though there are still people who seem to be living back in that era....
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Sorry, no idea. Others have already asked at GA. It's possible that the stories have been removed in preparation for publication, but that's only speculation.
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With the football season over, the attention turns to the upcoming AFL draft for a number of the Lilydale Leopards. Will any of them make the leap to the AFL? If they do, how many will make the jump and to where?
Leopards Leap, the third book in the saga of the Lilydale Leopards, will commence posting on Saturday, 5th March 2016. It will initially be posted as a chapter every two weeks until I can be sure that I am far enough ahead that I can keep to a regular posting cycle.
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Sexual fluidity: Living a label-free life
I can related to parts of this article. I personally consider myself to be gay, even though I'm in a heterosexual relationship, but I dislike the connotations associated with the label. Label-free is the best approach, in my opinion.
I would love to know how they are all doing, but my only contact with them was through their public email account. When I tried, there was no response.
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Fifty years of change: Social history through the eyes of a 78yo gay man
in News & Views
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Fifty years of change: Queensland social history through the eyes of a 78-year-old gay man