Post-Canberra
8:34 p.m.
*
2005-12-01
CANBERRA WAS SOOOOO AWESOME!!
I HAD THE BEST TIME. Well the first day I was regretting going, but THE REST WAS SOOO FUN!!!
ZERO DEGREES AND FALLING: best band IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE. http://www.zerodegreesandfalling.com/
DAY 1:
SO boring, met with 1 politician: URSULA STEVENS - Labor Senator. SMH photoshoot at St. Leonard's Park. With the help of YASO, we got from Cheso station to North Sydney!
Day 1 was basically really boring. We had briefings/workshops on trade, debt relief, aid and a lot of politics. I was really nervous meeting my FIRST politician and for some reason, I volunteered to do introductions. It's absolutely FREEZING in Canberra. Phyllis and I were arguing about who was responsible for the BORING Canberra trip. Me: because it was my idea. Phyllis: because she decided to come, otherwise I wouldn't have gone.
We stayed at the Australian National university (ANU) and we got tags for keys (which I didn't know how to use) and we all got our own rooms, only I didn't want to be seperated from Phyllis. We were put in opposite buildings. I was expecting 14-16 yr olds , but I would say it was predominantly Uni students. There were some our age and younger though.
DAY 2:
Was really great!!! We (me and phyllis) didn't have any meetings scheduled (with pollies) and we ended up wandering around ANU in search of lunch. Oh yeh, we were with Victor who was looking for a place to take his girlfriend. Quite a romantic.
ANU was really cool, like a suburb. Victor said UNSW wasn't as big though, or maybe Phyllis said it? There was a CANBERRA TIMES photoshoot in which, unfortunately, you can't see my face or Phyllis'. We had an unplanned meeting with Jill Hall (also Labor). In the morning, we were addressed by KEVIN RUDD who came to ANU. I was really excited because over the 3 days, he was the only politician that I saw, who I had actually heard of. I was really disappointed I wasn't important enough to meet Peter Costello OR Midnight Oil's Peter Garrett. But OH wellZZz. The meetings were really boring. I hate it when people say what sounds good and what they think you want to hear -- sucking up. THAt won't get MY vote.
Generally the Labors were supportive but are powerless to do anything because they're not in government.
Did I mention my excitement about parliament house? WE GOT TO GO IN THE SECURED AREA!! Parliament House is really interesting -- from the clocks to the carpet but I cbb talking about it.
I miss out on EVERYTHING and Canberra was of course, no exception. I missed the Make Poverty History walk from the War Memorial to Parliament house (which was cut short). I was actually on the other side of the lake near parliament house over the hill from where candlelight vigil for Nguyen Tuong Van took place. Everyone wore white on the walk and it looked pretty cool from far away. A picture was taken of the walk and was presented to Peter Costello (the next best thing to John Howard). Damn.
Then we had the STAND campaign, candle light thing+ 8 minutes slience for each of the Millenium development goals. THEN THE COOLEST THING EVER::::::: ZERO DEGREES AND FALLING performed LIVE and we saw some other band but me and Phyllis were preoccupied with getting autographs and photos we didn' notice the 2nd band. THEY WERE SO COOL, and not bad looking either, but that's not the point. I gave Ferdi my Make Poverty History band. If Zero Degrees and Falling become famous-er and you see the lead singer wearing that, remember: it was I who gave it to him!
DAY 3:
WORLD AIDS DAY. Everyone dressed in RED and we made a human ribbon in front of parliament house. Quite cool.
Met With Daryl Melham and Danna Vale who was apparently one of John Howard's faves. She was obsessed with veterans and stuff, not to be disrespectful cause' I guess it's an admirable thing. Weird thing to be obsessed with - she had a subscription to ARMY magazine/newspaper. Meetings were SO fun!!! I felt SOOOO important --meetings here and there.
Trip back to Canberra was a bore until some guy standing up in the bus almost injured himself because of inertia (when the driver put on the brakes). It was funny though - because he didn't get hurt. He literally flew across the bus' aisle.
TRAIN trip back was SOOOOOO tough. I know how sardines feel! Trains from North Syd to about Central were busting. It's probably normal but I was first timer. The trip to North Syd St. on Tuesday with Yasi was really funny cause' we had to get out and get in again at every station to let people out. That arvo, I didn't see the funny side of doing that. But I feel sorry for Yasi because she does it everyday.
The trip was interesting! I heard the WEIRDEST, most lame convo ever::
A: Redfern is next
B: Nah, don't wanna get off there, all red people. HAHAHAHAHAHA
A: HAHAHAHA
B: Strathfield is next
A: Why d'ya wanna get off there for? To "strath" people? HAHAHA
B: HAHAHA
A: Where's Sigh-DEN-HAM?
B: I think it's pronounced SID-DEN-HEM. HAHAHAHA
A: HAHAHAHA
NOTE:I'm not exaggerating the laughter.
That's it I think. Photos later.
[ Edit: ] OH and I got busted for using the male toilet (twice). Toilets are usually unisex but for us they changed the rules. I had no choice: could not find female toilet.
AND Ferdi was really nice. He apologised for making me wait for his autograph and signed "sweety" on mine. Which is VERY significant because he didn't sign it on Phyllis'!! [ /Edit ]
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