Spring Reading

I've just finished Carol Off's "Bitter chocolate" a fairly comprehensive expose of the world of cocoa growers and the multinationals who produce chocolate. Carol makes a compelling case of third world corruption and first world greed and complicity in that corruption. Child slavery in cocoa plantations, ecological wreckage of rainforest and multi-million dollar profits for the rich and powerful.

My next book is "Growing up Asian n Australia" edited by Alice Pung of "Unpolished Gem" fame. So far so good with excellent short essays on the perils of being different in Australia in the 1950's - 70's. So far my chocolate purchasing has been reduced as I read this book but I wonder how long I can go without the wonderful melt-in-the-mouth stuff. Especially after sitting in the sun whilst reading. Its a pity there isn't a fairtrade bar of chocolate to be fond in my local shopping centre.

During the dark days of winter I watched an intriguing series on DVD which is screened by PBS with regard to environmental concerns called the e2 series. Topics are as diverse as wind energy, micro loans to Bangladeshi women, Biogas digesters and sustainable living and much more. You can download them at http://www.e2-series.com/. Well worth seeing and emulating.

Now back to the weed infested garden! Time to do some work!

Australia Day Celebrations ,Melbourne

Taking advantage of the free open day at Victoria's Governors house, here are some photos of the residence, inside and out. My "other half" commented that some of the furniture and fittings seemed a bit worse for wear and needed some maintenance and replacement.