The novel

I love to read. I love to enjoy a good story that gets me thinking and introduces me to interesting characters and situations. I have been trying to cut down on the amount I read while I am studying but once I start a book I can't stop reading until it is finished (unless I don't like it of course). My attempt to read less has been wholly unsuccessful.

All the reading I have been doing has got me thinking about writing a novel. I have thought about it a few times before and really like the idea. I don't have a particular story that I want to capture. I would have to think of one before I started because I don't think I could make it up as I go along.

I had an interesting dream last night which would have made the basis for a great novel. When I woke up this morning I thought wow what a great dream - that would be a good book. I then proceeded with my day and have completely forgotten what the dream was about. I tried hard to remember. My ipod is flat so I spent 20 minutes on the bus home tonight trying to remember what had happened - but to no avail.

Perhaps I will sleep with a pen and paper on my bedside table tonight.

Pure torture

Details of the "enhanced interrogation techniques" used by the US have been in the news this week. It is so awful that this sort of treatment would be accepted and acceptable by such a large influential nation such as America. Although I am sure there are many people in America who are horrified by the news.

I find it unacceptable that one person could treat another person in such a way.

But it seems that this is the way that the world views people who have made big mistakes. Even in Australia peoples rights are taken away if they do something wrong (break the law). For example, prisoners in for longer than three years lose their right to vote in elections during that period.

I think it is sad that society spends so much time and effort punishing law breakers and such little effort in trying to re-rehabilitate people. I mean what good does forcing someone to go to prison do? If it was meant as a disincentive to commit a crime in the first place then clearly that is not working because prison populations continue to increase. Current Australian laws give judges very little discretion when it come to sentencing - many crimes now have mandatory prison time.

I realise that rehabilitation programs do exist and that some have success with offenders - especially young offenders. However I would prefer to see a system that better recognised and addressed the issue behind the offense rather than focusing on punishment.

Gone but not forgotten

I did it.

I cut 20 cm off my hair. Thats right. 20. cm.

I don't think I can really call myself LDHBE anymore but I am going to go with it anyway.

I have short hair now - and it seems to be very curly. Those who know me IRL will know that this is a regular 18 month to 2 yearly event, so I wasn't stressed out or upset by it like some people expected me to be.

I have to admit though that I can barely keep my hand off it. It is like have a new toy!