reflections

Bordello and Proud

A few years ago Bob Carr legalised brothels in NSW. It made sense. Prostitution is one of the oldest professions in the world. The industry might as well be regulated to improve safety. The government might as well collect their tax dues.

Despite legalisation however, brothels remained discreet. I had never seen any explicit advertisements. Sure you have your suspicions about certain premises, but you can never really be sure. To my surprise however, I saw one on Broadway that proudly advertises itself as a Bordello. Its right next to an establishment run by nuns.

Identity Fraud

I have heard that identity fraud had become a common crime in recent years, but hadn't met any victims until recently. A couple of days ago I was chatting to a colleague - lets call him John - who had recently returned from some time off. I was expecting him to tell me about his exciting holiday when instead he revealed that he had taken some time off to deal with a case of identity fraud.

A couple of weeks ago John had received a call from his bank asking him whether he had attempted to make a $17,000 withdrawal from the bank's Merrylands branch. He was a little surprised because he had never visited the branch. The bank had become suspicious because of the large sum involved and the fact that despite John having a very anglo name, the person attempting to make the withdrawal could only barely speak English.

After being alerted, John and the bank's fraud team investigated the matter further. The fraudster had a genuine RTA license in Lucky's name, but with the fraudster's photo. He also had a fake medicare card in John's name and other identification documents. The relevant passwords to the account had also been changed and the bank statements diverted. A very comprehensive scam.

The fraudster remains at large, but John's money is safe for now. He has put in additional security measures with all his bank accounts. He has set up alerts with the credit bureau to make sure he immediately finds out if any checks are made on his credit history, just in case the fraudster tries to get a loan in John's name. John is generally being more vigilant.

I can be quite easygoing at times and don't always check my accounts regularly. I will certainly be more vigilant in the future and keep a close eye on my bank accounts.

Photo originally uploaded by Lance McCord.

Earth Hour

Last Saturday we joined many other Sydneysiders and stopped using electricity for one hour. Earth Hour was a great success with an estimated 2.2 million households participating. Many businesses also came to the party and switched off their lights, darkening the Sydney skyline like never before. The initiative was symbolic, it was designed to show Sydney's support for the reduction of greenhouse gases.

It was an interesting experience. We switched off all our lights and lit candles. We didn't use our any appliance that needed to be plugged into the electricity grid. TVs, fans, DVD players, heaters etc. were all switched off for the event. We couldn't really read, so we had to actually talk to each other. SCARY!

With most things in the household running on electricity, at times we needed to think twice about what we could and couldn't do. Shortly after Earth Hour started Clare was looking a little distressed. When asked why, she revealed that she had forgotten to visit the amenities beforehand. I told her that she should just take a candle in with her. She replied that she knew that, but she didn't want to leave the toilet unflushed. I wasn't mean. I told her - to her great relief - that the flush didn't use any electricity.

Photo originally uploaded by Leorex.

Airport security

Since 9/11, security at our airports have progressively become tighter. We can no longer take sharp objects, aerosol cans, liquids, gels and many other day to day items in our hand luggage.

Despite the additional security measures and more advanced screening tools, security is still largely dependent on the accuracy of profiling and the alertness of the guards. On my way back from Canberra I didn't check in any bags preferring to carry them on board. I had forgotten that I had my razor and deodorant spray in my bag - both normally banned from beign taking on board.

As I was going through the security screening, the passenger in front of me got pulled aside and told to remove the aerosol can and razor from his bag. He denied having those items and upon a subsequent check, the guard apologised and let him through. I never got questioned and went through with both items in my bag. As I walked away I realised that they probably got the wrong bag. Instead of checking my bag for the items they had spotted in the scanner, they had picked on someone else. A simple mistake like that could allow a terrorist to get through with a weapon. 

Photo originally uploaded by computer_saskboy.

Movember and Male Health

Male health - or lack of it - is a major issue plaguing Australia. Most of us know that male life expectancy in this country is on average about 5 years less than that of women. Contrary to popular belief it is not because women nag men to death - at least that is not the only reason.

There are two main issues that increase men's mortality. Did you know that every year around 2700 men die of prostate cancer? This is more than the number of women who die of breast cancer. Depression affects 1 in 6 men. Men don't seek help for their problems - seeking help would ruin our macho image. Depression leads to suicide. Did you know that rates of suicide are more than double that of the national road toll?

To help raise awareness and funding, I have joined the Movember initiative and will be growing a Mo during the month of November. If you can spare a few dollars I would love it if you could sponsor me. Funds raised this year will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Beyond Blue.

Its easy to donate. If you want to give me cash, I can give you a tax deductible receipt. You can also sponsor me online, just click on the link. You can even buy a ticket to the big gala party and see me strut my brand new Mo on stage to earn the crown of Man of Movember. Keep checking the blog for regular updates of my Mo!

Photo of depressed man originally uploaded by emaratiprincess.

Secret Shame

My secret shame is that I watch Australian Idol. Now that I have admitted it, I can wonder aloud how Bobby is in the top 8. I don't even understand how he was in the final 12, or even the top 30. The top 100, maybe.

I don't get his music. He sings every week, I hate it, I don't like his interpretations, I don't really like his voice and I definitely don't like his style. The judges love it though and Australia votes for him.

To his credit he is an original artist and his music will definitely appeal to some elements in the community. However, Australian Idol is a popularity contest. The Idol should be someone that young Australians can aspire to be. Bobby isn't the best looking Idol in town, his style of music suits a different era, his fashion sense is unusual and there is the big mop of hair.

I read an article in the SMH that defined his appeal, but I still don't get it. Maybe I am too disconnected from today's youth to understand. I just hope he is not another Casey Donovan, someone being voted for simply because Australians like the underdog.

Photo originally uploaded by Australian Idol.

Lone Protestor - NSW Health

There was an unusual sight in front of the NSW Health building today. Lindsay has set himself up on the footpath directly in front of the building entrance. He has certainly made himself comfortable and has seemingly come prepared for a long wait with an nice armchair, dried apricots, newspaper and flowers.

He is a registered nurse who has been unable to work for the last month or so because of a procedural investigation being conducted by the department. All he is asking in this very civilised protest is for the Department to expedite the matter so he can return to work. Considering the reputed shortage in nurses, I think his request seems very reasonable. He also should be commended for conducting a very civilised protest - other protestors should take a leaf out of his book.

I am planning to contact the department to get their comments on LIndsay's situation. I will post an update if they respond.