Stop Complaining

"Stop complaining', he snapped, fumbling as he tried to strap in the kids, even more annoyed than usual at the useless seatbelts.

It had been a long winter, his lungs hurt and the rank smell of unleaded petrol and aviation fuel enveloped the house.

After a lifetime of being out, of travel and adventure, just going to work, battling through the traffic and days just to spend the evenings at home, felt very commonplace. He had become a cliche, the journalist who wanted to write. The cardpack of dreams had vanished at the same time as his life had become full with the love and complexity of a woman and the endless demands of children. There was no question now of giving up his job. There were financial worries, distractions, nights when he went to bed too early and could barely remember the man who didn't like to go to bed at all. For the first time in his life there was responsibility for the lives of others. With a one- and two-year-old crawling over him constantly, adoring ever-demanding worms - my daddy's a good boy, Sammy would shout loudly - it began to seem as if reading was for childless people. He was becoming illiterate. He had been reared in a magical realm, taught by books that there were greater, loftier ideals than daily work rituals and keep a roof over his head.

THE BIGGER STORY:

What a bunch of hypocrities; but hardly the first to kowtow to the economic might of the Chinese.

Brown blasts MP's silence on Dalai Lama visit17.05.2007
By KATHY SUNDSTROM
THE Dalai Lama's planned visit to Canberra next month has sparked a "step backwards in silence" from many politicians, including Sunshine Coast MP Peter Slipper, who is part of an official welcoming committee.
However, late yesterday, both prime minister John Howard and opposition leader Kevin Rudd appeared to be considering meeting the Dalai Lama after considerable public pressure through talkback radio.
Originally, Mr Howard said he would see if he could find time, and Mr Rudd said he would not meet the Dalai Lama as it was the job of opposition foreign affairs spokesman Robert McClelland.

On Tuesday, the Chinese embassy advised Australia's leaders not to meet with the exiled Buddhist figurehead.
Greens senator Bob Brown said he was surprised that an "outspoken federal MP like Mr Slipper" would also toe the party line.
"It is sad that any MP in Australia – Peter Slipper is not the only one – feels frightened to speak out on such a clear-cut issue and such a popular issue, about giving the Dalai Lama a proper reception," Mr Brown said.
Mr Slipper is part of the Tibetan parliamentary group. It includes Mr Brown, Labor backbencher Michael Danby and Democrat Natasha Stott Despoja, and is expected to host a small reception next month for the Dalai Lama.
When the Sunshine Coast Daily approached Mr Slipper's office for a comment yesterday, none was forthcoming.
Mr Brown said that as Mr Slipper was part of the parliamentary group, he should make comment.