Melbourne, Australia
My good friend Russell Kennedy (Icograda President from 2009-2011 and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology) has launched a website to help promote a proposal for a new Australian flag. This comprehensive study features an integrated system of ensigns which represent unity through design and diversity through colour. The proposal is that the Advance Australia National Flag replace the current Australian flag by the year 2020.
“Many people now acknowledge that he current Australian flag is not a unique design and agree that it is not suitable as a national flag—it is actually a colonial flag/ensign. To feature the flag of another country on our flag is perceived as subservient and illogical. And to claim that the Union Jack on the Australian Flag symbolises the historical origin of our people is highly disrespectful to Indigenous Australians. The Advance Australia National Flag both acknowledges and proudly celebrates indigenous Australia as the world’s oldest, continuous living culture.”
Learn lots more about this interesting proposal here. Watch a brief video clip here that shows how the kangaroo on this proposed flag design literally leaps in the wind… beautiful!
Rural Manitoba, Canada
Happy New Year! And thanks for the 121,613 visits to this blog (from 191 countries) in 2011—with over 82% from first-time visitors. Thanks also to each of you who has contributed ideas, inspiration, suggestions, and comments.
(source: thoughtballoonhelium.blogspot.com)
This lovely comic strip is the product of Grant Snider’s former life as an engineering student and math tutor… thanks to friend Jeope Wolfe for the introduction!
Lots more here.
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“Gather ’round the Yule-log fire while we spin the fantastic fable of the man who hates the holiday the whole world loves—and seeks to stop its celebration by striking at Santa himself! He is greedy Jasper Rasper—but he reckons without the Man of Tomorrow, who guarantees that there will always be a Christmas despite… The Man Who Hated Christmas.”
Read the whole comic book online, here.
Winnipeg, Canada
For the past 24 days I have been growing untrimmed hair above my upper lip—an unusual experience for me in this millennium, to be sure… (I used to sport a full beard every winter, before Y2K). It’s somewhat alien, I’ll admit (and my girlfriend’s not all that keen on how it feels, truth be known).
Why? In a word: Movember.
During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in Canada and around the world. With their “Mo’s,” these men raise vital funds and awareness for mens’ health, specifically prostate cancer.
On Movember 1st, guys register at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.
Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words, they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of mens’ health.
Thanks to my Circle colleague Carisa for the supportive image shown above (Mo Bros love Mo Sistas, what can I say?). I’d be delighted if you felt drawn to make a donation to the cause on my behalf. Another Circle colleague, Adrian, is also growing a wicked “Mo,” and you can express your tangible support for “the cause” by contributing to his pledge here.
