Emboldened by the Bentley Blockade

  It’s been ten days since the text arrived announcing the suspension of Metgasco’s license to drill for oil at Bentley.   Only ten days — and life has changed dramatically for many of us.   I search for a word for this new feeling and find an old one:   Embolden: “To give someone… Continue reading Emboldened by the Bentley Blockade

Metgasco’s “Community Consultative”: a Moment of Hilarity for the Bentley Blockade

I am old enough to have studied Latin in high school. It helps make me a good speller.  A moment of hilarity And today, Latin provided a moment of hilarity in battle to bring Metgasco to see reason about gas mining in the Northern Rivers. The goss now is that Metgasco is encouraging its shareholders… Continue reading Metgasco’s “Community Consultative”: a Moment of Hilarity for the Bentley Blockade

The Sun also Rises

    The sun also arises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to its place where it arose. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.   I’m not much for reading the Bible but I love the odd aphorism. And… Continue reading The Sun also Rises

Bentley CSG Blockade: You Can’t Just Take My Dreams Away

  Nimbin, 28 April 2014   It was bucketing rain at dawn at the Bentley Blockade this morning. The blockade against unconventional gas mining. No guitars or drums because of the rain. There were lots of people there but not a lot were singing.   Then, magically, about 5 am, a woman with a strong,… Continue reading Bentley CSG Blockade: You Can’t Just Take My Dreams Away

Lessons from a deaf brown chook

It’s always interesting living in the bush!   Our enterprising neighbours have turned their half an acre into a hive of activity. WWOOFERS are everywhere (see https://wwoofinternational.org/). After decades of inaction, the community agriculture lot is thriving.   Karl is preparing his garden for viewing next weekend in a Nimbin House and Garden Tour fundraiser… Continue reading Lessons from a deaf brown chook

Social Planner’s Distress Call: The NBN Information Session in Nimbin

    The inappropriate dress and exposed breasts of the woman from Ericsson were the best (or the worst, depending on your perspective) features of the NBN Information Session in Nimbin Town Hall today.   Oh dear.   Social Planner’s Distress Call.   Again.   It’s been a hard week and it’s only Monday.  … Continue reading Social Planner’s Distress Call: The NBN Information Session in Nimbin

Trouble in Paradise: Dual Occupancy at Jarlanbah

March 15, 2010 – 9:59 pm   Trouble in Paradise   Tomorrow evening my neighbours are meeting to decide whether or not to try to ban dual occupancy (commonly called accessory dwelling units: https://www.mass.gov/envir/smart_growth_toolkit/pages/mod-adu.html ) in this eco-village of 43 dwellings on 22 hectares.   The whole process has me mightily confused.   Imagine the… Continue reading Trouble in Paradise: Dual Occupancy at Jarlanbah

The blessings of a composting toilet

March 11, 2010 – 6:51 pm   After four years living on our half-acre block and over eight years in total including time visiting on weekends, we have a toilet.   We christened it a few weeks ago with great delight and considerable relief (pun not intended).   Neighbours and friends wonder why this basic… Continue reading The blessings of a composting toilet