Bullying them!

I've seen wrestling, I've seen street-fighting, I've seen bear fights, but I'd never thought I'd see one kid pick up and drop another like that. It has been all over ACA and the 9 news about a bullied kid finally snapping and dropping a kid on the gorund. From what I've heard he probably deserved it. And looking back, I can see where the systems fail to help the kids. Here is what I've been told to do when faced with bullies.
1) Ignore them. Yeah, like that's going to work. They just keep going until they get what they want.
2) Walk away. For the love of Ra, bullys know their legs aren't painted on, so they will follow you.
3) Tell them to leave you alone. Fucking duh! that is what they want.
4) Get a teacher. Well, that has a lot of problems in itself. What if you can't find one? What if them telling the kids off is only a 5 minute solution? They never really think this through. And with the passing of time, the system doesn't seem to be improving. Bullied students file an incodent report, like you were at a police station, and a student with enough of a history gets suspended for a few days. Do they not see the failure in this cycle? Kids will act badly to get detentions and suspentions and get out of the classes they don't want to be in. I've seen the cycle.
In example, I was waiting outside the library in primary school, quietly minding my own business when I was being bullied by some smart-arse girl who, in the end, started kicking me in the shins. I couldn't really move because her friends had me cornered, and you tell me how you ignore someone kicking you in the shins. Following that, I asked her (clearly pointlessly) to give it a rest. My shins were sorry for that. Couldn't go and get a teacher because the library entrance was really obscure from the rest of the yard. So what did I do? Same as the kid, kicked her back and got her square in the face. Well, she burst into tears and she went and got a teacher. I got in trouble, she got a light telling off and I was banned from the library for a week excluding class time. Fuck the system, it is about as useful as a fish on a bicycle. Here is what needs to be done, there needs to be a real identification of what a student likes or dislikes, and for every time they are reported for bullying or so forth, they will need to spend 'observed time' doing something in the yard, and every time they are reported after that, they have to do another punishment of that sort. To create negative reinforcement, they will realise that they won't be doing degrading work if they leave well enough alone.
Seriously, my resent studies into positive and negative reinforcement need ot be taken back to teachers. I know teachers don't have enough power to police the whole school but more needs to be done when trouble is brought forward. My teachers didn't mediate, and more often than not the bullied is the bad guy and was left feeling excluded. No great help since bullying gives you that anyway.
Am I glad that kid got driven into the ground head first? Debateable. Do I think the anti-bullying system needs fixing and over-hauling? Absolutely. I have two nephews between primary and high school (for memory) and a cousin in high school. If they have been bullied, I hope they do what I couldn't and find the help they need. I hope any and all parents reading this do their darndest and upmost to support their kids to get through it.
To the school system: I'll bet a lot of money you were popular in school, and really have no idea how much you understand about children bullying, but you need to get your damned act together before we raise another generation of socially fucked, shallow and withdrawn kids. Get a grip!
Perry

The truth of St.Patricks Day

ST. PATRICK & THE DRUIDS OF IRELAND
by Flame RavenHawk

Patrick was a Christian priest whose job it was to convert the population of Ireland to Christianity. The Druids, however, stood in his way. The Druids were very important people in Ireland at that time, and their symbol was the Snake of Wisdom. Druids could be priests of the old religion of Ireland, but there were also much more.

One part of the Druid class were the "Bards", whose job it was to remember all of the history of the people, as well as to record current events. Because the Irish Celts did not rely on a written language, everything had to be memorized. Bards were poets and musicians, and used music and poetry to help them remember their history exactly. Because of this, Bards were highly respected members of the Irish society. The Irish believed that history was very important, for if you didn't remember what had happened in the past, you couldn't safely plan for the future. Bards, therefore, held the future of the people in safekeeping.

Another important part of the Druidic class were the "Brehons". Brehons were the Judges and the Keepers of the Laws. The Celtic people had a highly complicated society, and with it, a highly developed set of laws. Brehons trained for many years to learn the laws of the people, so that whenever there was a dispute, the Brehon could fairly decide the matter and make peace. The laws were there to make sure that everyone; man, woman, and child, were treated fairly and with respect. Because of the wisdom that the Brehons held, and the knowledge of the laws of the society, they too, like the Bards, were held with much respect.

And, of course, there were the Druid Priests. This branch of the Druid set were the keepers of the knowledge of Earth and Spirits. It was their responsibility to learn the Spirit World, in order to keep people and Earth in harmony. Priests performed marriages and "baptisms", they were healers, and psychiatrists. The Priests were
the wise grandparents to whom you could go with a problem. They were there to help you solve them, with the help of the Earth and the Spirit World.

Into this world of the Irish Celts entered a highly energetic and devoted Christian Priest named Patrick. Because he believed so strongly in the tenets of Christianity, he thought that anyone who was not Christian had to become one in order to be "saved". He came to Ireland to convert the Irish people to Christianity.

The Irish people at that time were happy and doing quite well without Patrick and his ideas, but he was persistent. He noticed that the Druids were really the important people of the society. He thought that if he could convert the Druids to Christianity, the rest of the people would follow. Patrick's main problem was that the Druids were very comfortable with what they had already learned, and were not willing to change. Druids had spent their entire lives learning the ways of the people, and were the last people who were willing to change.

Although Patrick was not willing to abandon his vision of a Christian Ireland, he was getting desperate. He knew that because the strength of the people rested with the Druids, he had to get rid of them in order to get the people to listen to him.

Patrick was not alone in his efforts. He had brought many people with him from Britain to establish the new religion. Patrick began to destroy the influence of the Druids by destroying the sacred sites of the people and building churches and monasteries where the Druids used to live and teach. Gradually, the might of the Druidic class was broken by a bitter campaign of attrition. Instead of hearing the teachings and advice of the Druids, the people began to hear the teachings of Rome. Because the Druids were the only ones who were taught to remember the history, with the Druids dead and their influence broken, the history was forgotten.

Patrick won. By killing off the teachers and the wise ones, his own religion could be taught. For this mass conversion of a culture to Christianity, and for the killing of thousands of innocent people, Patrick was made a Saint by his church.

Today the story is told that Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland because he "drove the snakes out". We now know that the "snakes" were the Druids. So although I love the Irish people and celebrate their Celtic heritage, I don't "celebrate" a day dedicated to the man called Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland.


March 17, 1993, by Flame RavenHawk... being an *extremely* abbreviated version of the story of Patrick of Ireland, used as an instructional tale told to my 11 year old sister.

Source: http://home.pacbell.net/dyandra/articles-fiction/stpat.html

With that, we do see the true meaning of the church's claim that he "Drove the snakes from Ireland". Patrick himself did not own up to this in his own writings, which causes some dispute among historians. Nevertheless, it's a day to celebrate Pagan Pride, not those who wanted to convert or eradicate Pagans.

Understanding that Patrick was on a mission to convert Ireland to Christianity, and, in those days, that usually meant killing those who refused to convert, and understanding that "driving the snakes from Ireland" had to be a reference to the Druids, since there were no actual snakes there, this story paints the picture quite well. It's not a pretty picture!

Violence, hate & bigotry is nothing to celebrate, so it is not a day to hate or attack Christians, at least not in my opinion. It is a day to honor these Druids in particular, and display some Pagan pride. We all should be proud of who we are despite what the St Patricks of the world would have thought.

This Is Your Song

I was watching Big Bang theory today, and it brought up a thought that doesn't cross my mind very often, and that is something that I wish for quite a bit, but never get. I spend a lot of time entertaining, and I can't tell you how great it is to do that for people, and needless to say, I take a lot of requests for people as well as dedications, happy birthdays, etc. But what I really want, without prmpting, is for someone to dedicate a song to me. It's never happened! My name has been mixed in and that's cool, but it isn't totally the same. I want someone, without prompting or because it is my borthday or special occassion for me, to get on stage and say "this song goes to Perry." I think that would probably be the most touching thing for me in the whole world now, just to have that. I have had song dedications in the past, because people have been good to me on my birthday, or done a request for me, but it is not the same as out of the blue. If it was a sudden thing, I'd be very touched that people did that for me, but it doesn't happen. I guess that's the price of being big, people think that you don't need anything because you seem to have it all already. The thanks off stage is great, the applause I get for my singing and dancing is wonderful, but it was earned. I want this to be something special that someone took the time to think this out. And I don't want to ask for this either. I've asked, and it has taken the sparkle out of it. Maybe I've just gone into one of ym romantic moods, but I'm telling the truth. What would be so bad in someone taking that bit of time out because they truly think I'm worth it. I know I spend a good majority of my time outside and only coming inside occassionaly, but being prompted doesn't bother me, jsut so long as I don't know it's going to happen.
I guess a lot of this is also coming from ym recent trip to Daylesford for the Chillout Long Weekend. I'll go into more detail about it in another typed entry, but the weekend reminded me how much it sucks to be single at an event like this. The Barn Dance was fun to watch, but I would have been happy participating, dancing with somebody and getting into it. I know country isn't my thing, but I have always wanted to go to a dance of some description and dance with a guy because it wasn't going to matter what anyone else thought about our sexuality. But it was not to be. And it also made picking up difficult, because you spend your time investing interest in someone and the end result is that they are taken or have another person in mind. Kinda sucks when that happens. I got the impression by the end of evening events tat I either smelled bad (which i don't) or that I bite with force (which i only do when asked). People just get this idea and off they go, leading their prejudice behind them.
I have noticed a recent pattern to the men I've been dating or at least taking an interest in. It is kind of like a final sculpting of what I'm looking for. They progressively get youger, cuter, more financially well off (but not rich nor snorbish) and well... sized. Personalities have been adaptable, but the major down side has been ther lack of interest to go beyond a friendship into a relationship. I guess that this is the final leadup to whoever it is that is going to be my ideal, and the signs are coming in hot, strong, but sadly mixed. I won't go into detail, and those who know the details should. But in short, I have the feeling I am not that far off a good guy. Beliefs and personality can be more compadable, and a few other details, but after that, I simply don't have all the details filled in. I suppose I should get a few love things going, just to finalise what it is I am looking for.
I'm thinking this is a good sign that I am on an emotional down. I've been strong for a lot of people recently, but I am running out of strength, and my few reliefs are becoming fewer and further between. That and TAFE work are starting to weigh in at a good mass. Help me if I start trying to weigh my brain on a set of scales to see how I'm going. At least if I have a lot on ym mind, it'll stop it from blowing away.
The one good thing about this weekend was that a lot of people said to me that I looked good, and I can't tell you how wonderful that made me feel. And while I usually have guys over 50 telling me this, the age barrier expanded from 20's to 50's and I was very happy with this. Outside of my friends, i don't get complimented on my looks that much, so i was very happy to hear that. Would have been happier if someone was willing to step a bit closer and spend more time getting to know me, but what can i expect? I know what I am asking of the gay world and more often than not, I have unrealistic expactations.
I think I've said enough. I'm going to have a warm bath and feel better about this whole situation.... I hope. Night,
Perry

Just Get Over It Already! Yeish!

there is a lot to be said for being famous, because it doesn't matter what you do, because you'll get rewarded for it. here are the names in the media (or at least the subject matters) that are really getting up my nose.
*Charlie Sheen
*Justin Beiber
*The Royal Wedding
*Justin Bavola
*St.Kilda Sex Scandal
Seriously, whop gives a fuck? Not me. Should I break these things down and anylise them? You know I'm going to.

Charlie Sheen
Drug fucked, over-sexed, self-centered, egotistical and simply a sleeze! I thought it was bad enough when 2 and a Half Men decided to makwe the point that good guys don't finish at all and that to sexually abuse and think less of women from a drunken haze is perfectly okay. Considering that women are already the abused of the two sexes in a lot of respects, why not just rub it in. True, I find a number of aspects of 2aaHM funny, but these are usually at the points where Berta is talking or when Charlie gets what he deserves.
Following that, Charlie has abused wives, endangered his kids, been to drug rehab, hospital and court so many times you'd think that he'd learn something. Apparently not. And now that he's been kicked from the show, he's gonna sue. I can't blame the producers, quite frankly, considering the cost of looking after Charlie started to rise above and beyond the call of fairness.
So, in a rage, Charlie has invaded the internet to prove how cool he is, and 1M people are following this. I'd log on and blast him, but that would be a waste of effort, because what would it change?
From all the television interviews I've seen, Charlie is so self-conceited, he can do no wrong. His mind probably is angry because he won't deal with his issues and he is the perfect father. I've met a lot of less-than-ideal fathers, and Charlie makes them look like saints in comparisson. I'd like to see Charlie pass another 'Working With Children' check.
End of the day: If we pay less attention to him, he'll hopefully realise that no one cares as much as he hopes and he'll return to the occasional news report that is of him being admitted to hospital/rehab from overdose. I pray it doesn't kill him, but at this rate, it probably will be his fate.
Charlie: I've seen people who have been on your drugs for a good amount of their lives, so when you are in a wheelchair with degenerated muscles and dymensia, let me know if you're still having fun.

Justin Beiber So a teenager can sing, big deal! I've bitched about this before and I'll do it again. He is presently in London with 1000+ fans outside his Hotel. Police have told him he will be arrested for enciting a revolt if he dares to step out onto the balcony. If he ever gets to his concert, he'll be to exhausted to perform.
It is great to see someone so young lead such a good career, but can we PLEASE stick to one media at a time. A movie, television and music is one too many. Start with one, do it for a while and then stray quietly into one and then into the other. But then again, perhaps this is all being hurried before his voice breaks or strains beyond use.
I onyl heard briefly that his hair sold for so many thousand to $1m. And what would yu do with it, exactly? In 10 years, it will be worth quite a bit, but who cares? It's hair! I did ask at one point "which hair" but considering the jokes, there probably only is head hair on offer because that's all there is.
End of the day: I'm happy he is doing so well in life, but I wonder what he is going to be doing when his voice can no longer do those high notes. He'll probably end up as an airplane trolly-dolly like Sara-Marie probably is now.

Royal Wedding: That oversized ring looks like it'll break her finger at any moment, it was given originally to Dianna without love and personal items like that carry such thoughts and energys. I don't wish them any ill thoughts in their wedding, but I do want to hear a little less about it. And while I hope that I'll hear less about it after the wedding, methinks I will get a blow-by-blow of her daily life on the 6pm news until it becomes boring. Get married, get on with it, get over it, move on!

And quite frankly, the other two are footballer issues, and I really don't have time to go onto what I think about the endless cycle of protecting footballers from themselves in an ever-failing cycle of sex, alcohol and rehab. If they acted in accordance for a bloody change and stopped making news outside of game tackles and the like, the world might be a little bit more well-behaved.
See you after Daylesford,
Perry

Theory Expansion

Well, while the title might suggest I would go on about my Book of Theory (new entry, by the by) but I'm not. Recently in class, we discussed different theorists and their social theories. And while each theorist has a good point of view (for the most part), I noticed that a number of the theorists don't seem to have followed through all the way on their theories.
Lets inspect my theorist, Albert Bandura. He looked into behavioural theories with how they work and how positive/egative/no reinforcement can influence/change behaviour in children.
The best example conducted in this field was the Bobo doll experiments, or behavioural experiments. First off, a child was shown the 'model' beating up a Bobo doll (aka punching doll, hit it as much as you want, it won't fall) on a video, then led into a room with a Bobo doll, other toys, a hammer (as used in te video) and a toy gun. The children proceeded to attack the Bobo dolls in the same manor as the model. The cildren who had not been expossed to gun use either didn't use the gun, or didn't use it for its primary purpose. It also encouraged violent behaviour when playing with other toys.
In the second experiment, there were three groups shown three different videos. The model attacked the Bobo doll as always, but the ending was different. The model was either praised, punished or recieved no conciquence for their behaviour. The kids who saw praise attacked their Bobo dolls, the kids who saw the model be punished didn't attack, and the neutral gorup were either unmotivated or attacked the doll. However, it was noted that the children who saw the punishment were offered positive reinforcement (praise) were then happy to attack the bobo doll.
My problem with the last experiment is that it wasn't followed through on (according to my sources) because there is no mention of offering negative reinforcement to the positively enforced children, nor to find out which motivational would effect the neutral group more. I'm rather disappointed, because I'd be interested to see the results.
The expansion of this theory would be a lot of interest in the way it could change childhood behaviour. Can negative behaviour that is positively reinforced be turned around with either negative reinforcement or demonstrations of good behaviour that is positively reinforced? Why these thoughts and experiments (for lack of better terms) not been followed. Could we resolve a lot of childhood and adolesance behavioural problems or would we be where we are now anyway? It'd be nice to know.
Well, after everything was said and done, there is still a boosting of understanding in how the human psyche can be designed (somewhat) for a better future.
Anyway, that theory aside, I better go get a few things done. Ciao for now,


Perry