MikeFitz with overflow bit set…

Southern blogger Miff has come across some research into the different ‘male’ and ‘female’ signs used on toilet doors (bathroom doors, for American readers).  She is inviting comments on innovative ones.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but those internationally-recognized ones on the Ladies and the Gents, are worth much, much more to someone who is not familiar with the local language.

My Story

I learned this in a restaurant in the north-west of Ireland.  Let’s just say that after a certain social gaffe, I now know that, in Gaelic, “MNA” is NOT an anagram of “MAN”.  Further “FIR”, even though it begins with “F”, has nothing to do with “Female”.  Ouch.

“John”’s Story

A mate, “John” (not his real name*), learned this lesson in particularly awkward circumstances.

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For the 2006 Queensland state election next Saturday, a very good friend of our family, Larissa Waters, is standing for The Greens in Brisbane Central, Premier Peter Beattie’s electorate.

In the past, some may have dismissed Green candidates as ageing hippies with out-of-touch ideas.  With Larissa, that stereotype goes right out the window.

I can confirm that Larissa is a very intelligent lady. She is an environmental lawyer who is passionate about her work, values ecological sustainability above unchecked development and has thought the issues through.

For example, with the reality of water shortages staring us in the face, she has done the cost-benefit analysis. Larissa can tell you exactly how much better-off the community will be if the government provides financial support for households to adopt water conservation measures, instead of spending its money on damming valuable rivers.

The same goes for the Greens policies on urban development, energy conservation, transport, accountability in government, et al.

No 1 son’s initial reaction when he heard that Larissa was campaigning in Premier Peter Beattie’s electorate was “Oh No. What a waste. Why doesn’t she stand in an electorate where she might have a chance?“

But, as it turns out, she is the perfect person, with the help of the voters of Brisbane Central, to take the message of ecological sustainability right up to our Premier and his next government.

Brisbane Central candidates’ public debate

In fact, Larissa has organised a public debate of all Brisbane Central candidates.  Voters in the Brisbane Central electorate are invited to attend, free of charge.

• 6-8pm on Tuesday 5th September
• Ithaca Hall, corner Kennedy & Enoggera Terrace, Paddington

And what if there is a change of government?

Well then, environmental issues might not get a look in at all.  Not unless an awful lot of us Vote 1 for our Greens candidate and then give our second preference to another party.

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Update: 22 Feb 07
Larissa now has her own website (www.larissawaters.net) where she has announced her candidacy for Senate Preselection for the Queensland Greens.  2007 is shaping up as a year where we can all make a difference.

This afternoon’s Ping contained an article with the headline RAAF gets ‘look and shoot’ tech.  Australia’s F/A-18 Hornets are being equipped with new high-tech targeting systems.

Boeing’s Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS) technology …

allows pilots to pick a target just by looking at it.

By aiming a crosshair, projected on the helmet visor, over the desired target and pressing a button, pilots can quickly and easily aim weapons and their radar.

JHMCS technology also displays aircraft altitude, airspeed, gravitational pull, angle of attack and tactical information on the visor …

This is new, is it?

I distinctly remember being told about a very similar technology in 1973!  It was being tested by a group of US pilots in helicopter gunships in Vietnam.

Now, I was in an infantry unit at the time and my information is admittedly second-hand, but

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