The first item this week was my root canal treatment on Monday. I was a bit nervous going in but I was soon put at ease by the endodontist. This guy was very friendly and made sure I knew what was going on. Although a nuisance, it didn't actually hurt, although there were moments of very slight pain; nothing that I couldn't handle, though. The whole procedure took slightly less than an hour and included some completely unique sounds and sensations. I hope never to repeat this experience. I'm putting all my hopes in stem cell research and maybe one day I'll be able to grow a new tooth to replace this faulty one. Actually, I'll probably get a whole new set if I can.
There have been a few interesting news items in Australia this week. Jorn Utzon, the Danish designer of the Sydney Opera House, died at 92. Following some disagreements with the government of the day, Utzon left Australia before the completion of the Opera House; he never saw it complete in person. He did, however, have numerous photos of the Opera House at his home and it was said that he held it in very high regard. The Opera House is Utzon's most famous landmark and he never designed anything quite so famous again. He said that it was not that he never wanted to return to Australia, it's just that he could never find the opportunity. After many years, his doctor advised him against the long travel and so Utzon, by chance, couldn't make it to Sydney. However, Utzon's son said that since the Opera House was his father's vision, he didn't need to see it in person, all he had to do to see it was close his eyes. Whatever the case, Utzon's imaginative design will live on for many years and, I'm sure, continue to spark the imaginations of those who see it.
In a more bizarre news story, random breath tests are being contemplated for New South Welsh parliamentarians. The other day, an MLA came into the Legislative Assembly following a Christmas party in the parliamentary bar where he'd been drinking. Then, for some reason, he got into an argument with another MLA, in the chamber mind you, and ended up pushing, though not very strongly, a female MLA. In a country where alcohol-induced hooliganism is a major concern, this naturally caused a but of an uproar. The MLA has apologized to the MLA he pushed but that hasn't quieted the storm. He says that while he had been drinking, he wasn't drunk, but that cuts both ways; he's not a mean drunk, he's just a sober jerk. Now there are calls for breath tests to ensure sobriety but the Speaker has said that it must be voluntary. In a country where drinking is a favourite pastime, we shall see how this plays out and if anything will come of it; I doubt it.
I've also decided to join the union that represents ACTTAB employees. I don't know exactly why, but I've always been a supporter or unions and unionism. I'm sort of a capitalist with socialist leanings, or a socialist with capitalist leanings. I just think they are worthwhile organizations to represent workers. Some people say that if your employer is good, and ACTTAB is a very good employer, then a union is unnecessary. I find that argument as bizarre as saying that since the police don't go around beating people up, we can get rid of democratic representation.
A curious thing happened, though, and that was that my mother said it pleased her that I was joining the union. I never figured my mom for a big union supporter but I know she was a union representative many year ago in the public service. It's perhaps not all that surprising since my mom comes from the Canadian prairies, the birthplace of Canadian socialism. This is somewhat ironic since now it is the home of Canadian conservatism. It's also curious as I've never known my mom to express a strong opinion on any matter, really. The furthest I've ever heard her go is to call Bush and Harper, "idiots", which has provoked an interesting response from my dad. My dad has called my mom, jokingly, a prairie radical, perhaps in the vein of Tommy Douglas. Maybe my mom is a little more radical than her manner would suggest?
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