Something Different

Been absolutely flat out, not just in the drowned world after the worst storms in 30 years, but in an astonishing string of events, an astonishing life, where I become nothing but a cipher through which other stories pass. Busy busy.

The story continues:

"It was true, in an abstract sense. It had been rue for years. Something missing. A fundamental instinct. He wasn't brave enough to say, I would like to have children with you.

"She believed in monogamy, or at least that was the tale she was spinning him. He had grown up in the seventies, when envy and ownership were the greatest sins, but there had always been a part of him that was instinctively monogamous. He felt far more comfortable going to bed with someone he was relaxed and familiar with, the exact opposite to the prevailing ethos. The thought of abandoning what he regarded as his fundamental right to sleep with whomever hel liked whenever he liked, to deny himself the need, even the requirement, of his chosen art to experience all, especially the intimacy of others, struck him at first as profoundly odd.

"Martin had certainly been no believer in monogamy. He had always argued for an open relationship, sexual friendships. In their travels together Martin had always regarded sex with the locals as an esential part of their experience of foreign places. What did it matter, as long as the core was secure. The trouble was, the core was never secure. Although it sometimes worked well, all too often he felt like the long-suffering, deeply humiliated, homely wife, turning her head way, ignoring the affairs of her husband. Putting up with it because the other option was to be entirely alone."


THE BIGGER STORY:

ABC:

Govt, Opposition dismiss China's criticism
Politicians on both sides have dismissed China's condemnation of the Australian Government for allowing the Dalai Lama to visit the country.

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says the Prime Minister must be able to decide whom he sees in his own country.

John Howard will meet the Tibetan spiritual leader on Friday, while the Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd held talks with him last night.

Minutes after Mr Rudd met the Dalai Lama last night, China expressed its strongest dissatisfaction that the Australian Government had allowed the spiritual leader's visit to go ahead.

Mr Rudd says he is not surprised.

"There are always bumps in the road in the relationship you have with China, and I think the important thing is to just to maintain a level course," he said.

The Chinese Government says its relationship with Australia is being harmed by the Dalai Lama's visit.

But Mr Rudd says he hopes his meeting with the Dalai Lama will not affect Australia's relationship with its largest trading partner.

"All diplomatic relationships go through ups and downs," he said.

Despite China's opposition, Liberal backbencher Peter Slipper is pleased that Mr Howard is going ahead with his Friday meeting with the Dalai Lama.

"I think it's appropriate that the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader should meet the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism," he said.

Another Liberal backbencher, Bruce Baird, says the holy leader has every right to be in Australia.

"China is important to us, it's important as a trading partner," he said.

"But Australia is its own country; we will meet with whoever we wish to meet with.

"I come from a strong Christian background myself but he's certainly welcome in this country to talk to us about the particular needs of Tibet."

Meanwhile, Mr Rudd's trip to Beijing planned for this month is now on hold.

He maintains it is just a scheduling problem, while his office tries to find a mutually convenient time.