dogs :-),elections :-(, compulsary voting and the 'Z' factor

[storm]

Tabouli said:
> And dogs are great.  I have long had this romantic vision of
myself
> in bathers tripping along a deserted sunny shore, adorable
puppy
> jumping lovingly at my hand.  Of course, by the time I can
actually
> afford to live somewhere with a garden big enough to house a
dog, if
> this ever happens, I'll probably be not so much tripping as
hobbling
> along on my walking frame.  O well.

Ah-Ha! not necessarily! You don't need a garden to have a dog,
you need Commitment! And you as a sometimes-at-home worker are a
perfect candidate. I'm in the process of convinceing my housing
provider (I'm on the Board) to liberalize our companion animals
policy and have HEAPS of information to pursade (sp?) the
reluctant landlord. e-m me off list (even though this is OT,
might be *too* OT) if you want a list of good breeds (on which an
older wolfhound would definately appear) or other options (foster
etc)
>
> storm:
> > storm, depressed about the election result (It's Australian
> politcs Magical Mod Squad, no one really cares!)
>
Tabouli:
> (ooohhoooo, isn't it frightful.  I mean, what are Australians
> thinking?  *Another* three years of John Howard?  Makes you
weep)

<sob> no body is thinking, or at least the majority of the voting
public appears not to be thinking. A friend and I, in between
weaping, were reviewing options - moving to Nu Zuland was high on
the list
>
> Australia has compulsory voting for all citizens over 18, which
is
> interesting.  Being particularly ignorant of politics I dare
not
> speculate on this at length, but what are more learned people's
> musings?

I'm not learned (no me, no) but I think it's good. Of course it
does mean that apathetic conservitive ppl also vote which they
might otherwise be less likely to do. (naturally no one left wing
would be apathetic - ok, maybe that doesn't hold)

> > > Amy
> > who's too uncool to have anything but a Muggle name
>
> Ahhh, but you have the coveted Z factor!
>
indeed! and the mysterious Z factor, the more mysterious because
of its claimed muggle origin.

~storm~, yet again eaten too much dinner, I'm 31, will I never
learn the capacity of my stomach?
----------------------------------------------------------------
Tweedledum and Tweedledee
Agreed to fight a battle;
For Tweedledum said Tweedledee
Had spoilt his nice new rattle.