Sausage Rolls at 3am

Well this morning I had sausage rolls (with sauce) at 3am. Never done that before. Especially with the entire contigent of an International Conference. We had business meetings last night (full of thrills) and spent four hours on a decision that didn't get made.

But I did also get me some of that Jamaican dancing. Seeing our ageing International Director attempting that was fun.

Mickey

is a stud.

Conference Photo Scrapbook

Outside session (up scrub)

Certificate IV ladies looking smashing.

(Rachel, housemate Sheralee, Captain Midnighter Kylie, and their esteemed leader Bron on Expo Day)

True blue Aussie trooper Ashley Hansen, of Canada

Heather, also of Canada, also of Diploma, also looking smashing



I will get my photos in a slide-show, someday...someday...

"Feel the rhythm...

...feel the rhyme,
Come on JAMAICA
it's Bob-Sled time!*"

I want to go to Jamaica!















Krystalyn (another Canadian) over in sunny Jamaica.

*may not be actual Jamaican National Anthem, or actual Jamaica.

Biz - still at International Conference

"Oh Canada...

...oh Canada,
How bountiful our Pine-Trees*"

I want to go to Canada!

Paul Robertson doing the Canadian report with home-made banner (very impressive)





*may not be actual Canadian National Anthem


Biz - Coming to you from International Conference.

Conference Begins!

Woah. Day Two (and a half) of International Conference and I'm already pooped. In a good way though I guess. I have a whole bunch of ex-Captain Midnighters back in town wanting to do my show for me, so that's not a problem. But Conference in general is a drainer.

But I heard reports from all centres around Australia and the UK so far, and they've been worth it. I'm beginning to realise that the people I work for is not a tool of the Devil (surprise surprise), but can actually be as effective and important as they aspire to be. It's easy for a lot of us students to jaded and cynical about ideology, after living with it for a while and taking it for granted. But tonight I saw people in depressed English towns becoming inspired and refreshed by what we offer over there, surprised that someone cares that much. So many ordinary people with hope that they can give their youth a chance and turn their towns into something worth believing in.

Work certainly is unique in both its ideas and practices. It's just such a shame that most of us die of exhaustion.

Our only hope of survival is to pretend we are Moose, for our Canadian photographer while eating Brie and mini-toasts at 1am.

Yep, that's Conference.

Travel Itinerary

My ever expanding travel itinerary wishlist has been radically altered/added to with the arrival of this:










This is the single greatest thing I have ever seen, and I long with my whole being to one day climb it.

It's 20-feet long, woollen, and lays on the side of a mountain (Colletto Fava) in Italy. The bunny is supposed to stay there for the next twenty years, and people are welcome to climb it and rest on it's soft, warm belly....

Out of Hiding She Comes...

I have fallen into the Poatina study trap whereby my posts are few and far between (see Bowen). But here I am! I haven't run away, or lost interest, I'm just busy. it's not going to get much better because it's conference time again!

International Conference is where Fusion people from around the world (as the name would suggest) come to this tiny little town and attempt to get along and present reports and make big decisions. It sounds really boring and uninteresting, and largely it is. But sometimes there are moments that make the whole thing worthwhile.

Such as the Jamaican contingent making sure everyone's well practice in the art of reggae dance, the Canadians losing out to the Aussies at International Street Hockey, the re-enactment of a busy Greek train station, souvlaki's, stilts, puppets, balloons and all, and the little white pet rocks given to everyone, handpicked by Marty on the island of Patmos.

Plus there's the fact that a whole lot of people I love and miss willbe making the trip here for the next two weeks. Word on the street is that they're packing 320 visitors into this town, a remarkable feat given they're having trouble accomadating me and my two housemates.

Catch up with you after the craziness.....If I survive.....