Monthly Archives: October 2004

I went to the doctor again today, my throat infection is better, but my doctor thinks that I now have whooping cough. Which would explain the horrible coughing fits and why I have only been able to sleep for an hour or two during the night, I no longer sleep, I just cough and cough and cough…

If you know of anything that can help with the cough please leave a comment, I’m so exhausted. 😦

Kitta is not well, not well at all. She has a terrible throat infection and hasn’t been able to talk in days. She wishes she could do a virus scan and re-install on her body and she’s not sure what’s worse: mind numbingly high temperatures or day time television.

I was looking up information on the Murdoch University website (ever noticed University websites just go round and round in circles?) when I saw a list of their new courses starting soon, and one of them caught my eye – Security, Terrorism and Counterterrorism (which I’d love to link to, but in true University style their site is going up and down like a $5 hooker). Clearly, terrorism is such a hot topic that teaching organisations are now providing courses on security, terrorism and counterterrorism.

“This course provides students with a critical understanding of the nature of security, terrorism and counterterrorism measures in Australia and other parts of the world. It defines security broadly to incorporate the protection of individuals and their values, norms, rules, institutions and property from military and non-military threats. It explains terrorism as a threat to security, but suggests a multiple approach to the ‘war on terror’, involving diplomacy, development, capacity building and military force.”

The unit ‘Spies, Saboteurs and Secret Agents’ intrigues me the most. I can just imagine how one of the classes would go…

Teacher: Now class today I am going to show you a slideshow of some of the worlds top spies, you can all learn a lot from them, so please do pay attention…
Teacher: Here we have Bond, James Bond. Known for being the only man who can save the world, get the girl, drink quite a bit and not get his clothes dirty or wrinkled in the process.
Teacher: Next we have the shagadelic Austin Powers, he combines 60’s style and jokes about shagging into all his work. It is not known if these are tactics, or if he really is like that.

A picture of a naked Britney Spears appears on the screen. The students laugh and someone can be heard whispering “now that’s my kind of spy!”

Teacher: And here we have… OH MY! She’s not a spy, not a spy at all.
Teacher: Ok, who was the smart ass who put that in there? This is serious you know, we are trying to learn about Spies, Saboteurs and Secret Agents!
Teacher: Now, where was I, oh yes, Spy Kids…

I pulled open the door and walked into the computer store, there was a line so I waited behind two guys in front of me while they talked to the sales dude behind the counter. The two guys were clearly looking for a new computer, all the classic signs were there; one hand was clutching a ton of brochures, while the other hand massaged a growing headache. The conversation went like this…

Guy #1: “Does it come with speakers?”
Sales Dude: “Yes it does.”
Guy #2: “Can I run it through my stereo?”
Sales Dude: “Yes you can.”
Guy #1: “I heard it can mess up the stereo if you do that…”
Sales Dude, trying his best not to laugh: “Umm, no.”

The guys look at each other, nodding in acceptance of the information they just received. “Ok, we’ll think about it and get back to you” they say, to which the sales dude replies “Cool”. They were just about to leave the store to contemplate speaker options when one of the shiny skyhawk cases caught guy #2’s eye.

Guy #2: “Whoa. Check that out! It has a window and lights!”
Guy #1, in a trance from the lights: “Oooooooo.”
Guy #2: “Does it come with that?”
Sales Dude: “No it doesn’t, you’ll have to pay more for that case.”

More nodding.

When they finally leave, I walk up to the counter smile, laugh and exchange ‘they have no bloody idea’ look with the sales dude.