International Development/Modern Day Missionaries

Hello everyone,
as some of you know I call international development workers 'Modern Day Missionaries.' Some are going to 'developing' countries and 'helping' people. Apparently, there is only poverty 'over there.' Anyway, some spread the word of Jesus and the oh so fun, Catholic Church (check out the link to this movie I just saw, Deliver Us From Evil). But others, the more sinister lot, believe they are doing good and are spreading the good word of capitalism.

As one international development student said, "If only we could go to Africa and get everyone a job." Yes, a perfect world is one half-full of fat-ass-over-consuming- westerners and the other half-full of people working in sweatshops. We can shop our way to a better world. If only everyone can consume more.... (screw the environment, etc).

Enough of that, you get the idea. But here is poem Lauren found:

The Development Set
Ross Coggins, September 1976

Excuse me, friends, I must catch my jet
I'm off to join the Development Set;
My bags are packed, and I've had all my shots
I have traveller's checks and pills for the trots!

The Development Set is bright and noble
Our thoughts are deep and our vision global;
Although we move with the better classes
Our thoughts are always with the masses.

In Sheraton Hotels in scattered nations
We damn multi‑national corporations;
injustice seems easy to protest
In such seething hotbeds of social rest.

We discuss malnutrition over steaks
And plan hunger talks during coffee breaks.
Whether Asian floods or African drought,
We face each issue with open mouth.

We bring in consultants whose circumlocution
Raises difficulties for every solution ‑‑
Thus guaranteeing continued good eating
By showing the need for another meeting.

The language of the Development Set
Stretches the English alphabet;
We use swell words like "epigenetic"
"Micro", "macro", and "logarithmetic"

It pleasures us to be esoteric ‑‑
It's so intellectually atmospheric!
And although establishments may be unmoved,
Our vocabularies are much improved.

When the talk gets deep and you're feeling numb,
You can keep your shame to a minimum:
To show that you, too, are intelligent
Smugly ask, "Is it really development?"

Or say, "That's fine in practice, but don't you see:
It doesn't work out in theory!"
A few may find this incomprehensible,
But most will admire you as deep and sensible.

Development set homes are extremely chic,
Full of carvings, curios, and draped with batik.
Eye‑level photographs subtly assure
That your host is at home with the great and the poor.

Enough of these verses ‑ on with the mission!
Our task is as broad as the human condition!
Just pray god the biblical promise is true:
The poor ye shall always have with you.

End of Semester

Hello everyone,
As the end of semester and the completion of my masters are nearly here I thought I should comment on what is going on, in case you are curious. I have a few options in front of me and I am thinking about what to do next.

So my aunt Susie is coming and we will be travelling around Australia for a few weeks. That should be fun. And then after that I have a ticket to return to Canada. I am not sure if I will use it.

Some of my options include; staying here and working (this depends on getting a job and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, DIC), staying here and studying more (I'm not sure I'm too keen on that), going back to Canada and Victoria, or going somewhere else. So this mixed with school papers is what I am on about these days.

I do like the idea of being in summer, but I also like it here. Anyway, there you go, in case you were wondering what is going on. Of course there are other things too, for example, I got a new haircut, that kind of stuff.

Mr. Floaties Lives

Hello everyone,

POOP (People Opposed to Outfall Pollution) is a group that I am a member of. In the city I am from, Victoria, British Columbia (as opposed to the state I am in, Victoria, Australia) dumps its raw sewage into the ocean. I believe 120 million litres a day. Now although it's kinda funny that tourists pay to go in boats out past the outfall and don't know. Also that some of the sewage heads down to our southern neighbours (who are in turn shitting on the rest of the world) does not excuse our crappy behaviour.

Those of you who attened my LUP will remember how Mr. Floatie paid a visit. Here is a picture that I took of him when I helped escort him in the Oak Bay Tea Party Parade. He is giving the 'number two' signal, as he often does in photos. He is holding Flat Stanley, who is a world traveller.

Here is a video that POOP made. So watch it and feel free to tell others too.