Random thoughts

Perhaps I've been inspired by the book I'm currently reading ("A Fraction of the Whole" a newer Australian novel) whose author has injected all kinds of introspective blurbs that must have floated through his head at one point or another that he must have spent a lifetime collecting. I figure if I were ever to write a novel, I would want to write down some of my random thoughts so that at one point or another I could weave them into a character's thoughts. Hmm. Anyway, here are some of my own random snippets--thoughts and occurrences along with the ramblings that come thereafter.

• I was walking through Hyde Park the other day when a bird dive-bombed the man walking in front of me. Either the man was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he didn't see it or he has nerves of steel, because he didn't even flinch. Lucky for him the bird skimmed two inches above his head. Then the bird swerved and dive bombed me. Must have been a magpie as they're renowned for flying into people's heads.
• When I grew up, I was taught to say my prayers every night before going to bed. I was literally supposed to get down on my knees, fold my arms and pray out loud. Well certainly that was never going to happen, was it? Instead I compromised and said my prayers every night in my head, first saying what I was grateful for and then moving on for my requests. Even though I don't particularly believe in God, I've continued this practice because I believe in the power of positive thoughts and energy. I used to begin my prayers with, "Dear heavenly father..." but that doesn't really work when you're agnostic. I omitted the beginning of my prayers for a while, even though it's still habit. My head knows that I want to begin with that habitual greeting, but I step around it. Recently I decided I'd try to change the greeting to "Dear heavenly universe..." but I find that my well-rehearsed brain still tries to revert to using "father" instead of "universe". I've even more recently decided that if I am addressing this message I'm sending into the cosmos, I'd rather address it to a woman than a man so I'm starting to use, "Dear heavenly mother..." If there is a God, it's most certainly without gender but unfortunately the English language leaves us without a neutral pronoun other than "it", and "it" is rather informal. I wonder if hermaphrodites would like being referred to with a new neutral pronoun, since they are basically the physical manifestation of neutrality in terms of sexes. To go even further, don't you think that sexuality is really all on a scale anyway? There are women that love dresses, pink, make up, babies and all things girly, and they would be on the estrogen-heavy side of the scale. Then there are the manly men, the lumberjack, flannel-wearing, beard and red-faced primitive men who would be on the testosterone-heavy end of the scale. Then we have women who dress like men and like women, men who dress like women and like men, women who are very career-focused and business-savvy and men who like to cook and tend to their personal hygiene. Certainly there are mixes of the typical sex stereotypes which would shift their position on the scale. Some day science will prove that this sex scale exists and that all of these things are quite normal and not defective.
• I walked into a one of the downtown business buildings the other day, and when the security guy at the front desk asked where I was going, I literally spat out at him, "Level nine." I was so embarassed, and still wiping spit off of my chin as I walked into the elevator.
• I hear the most horrible muzak in the bathrooms at work. Today I walked in and heard the theme to "The Lion King" playing. Last week it week it was Boyz II Men "Water Runs Dry" or whatever it's called. Playing the songs themselves? Hilarious. But playing the muzak versions of non-classic pop music from the 90s? Just plain sad.
• The Heart Foundation, along with businesses around the world, is doing an internal review to see where costs can be cut and money saved. There are discussions of cutting positions, departments, and outsourcing (though if it's cheaper to outsource, then this is an even less efficient business than I thought!). The thing that gets me, though, is airfare. Frickin' airfare! I book flights for my team on a regular basis and it shits me how much we pay for airfare. Qantas is one of the more expensive Australian airlines and they are one of two airlines we have a corporate account with. I booked a flight yesterday that was four times more expensive with Qantas than with their cheaper airline equivalent! I've nudged my boss about it a few times but she ignores me. I've spoken with other admins around the office (who are also instructed to not use our cheaper airline but rather to use Qantas) who agree that the prices we pay for flights is abominable. Why do we continue using Qantas, I ask again and again. Do you know what response I get? They want their frequent flyer miles. WHAT??? You have got to be joking me. So while the plebs are getting made redundant, executives continue spending masses on airfare and review meetings, indulging in catering all the while. How about this? Let's invest in some video conferencing (something you think would come in handy as we have at least eight divisional offices!) and start using a cost-effective airline. Apparently the common folk will always be compromised while the old men in power continue with their luxuries. Where is the relativity, people?

I suppose that's enough meandering thought and random occurrence for now. But I might just inject them again every here and there.