When I wake up tomorrow (or today), I’m going back to uni for second semester. Bit sad that holidays are over and never really got all the projects and writing done I wanted to during that time. But looking forward to the new subjects and there’s some cool things that have been happening and are coming up that I thought I’d update you on.
The first is the Toll dispute. Workers, hired by Toll, at a Coles Distribution Centre in Somerton have been out on indefinite strike fighting for equal pay and conditions with other Coles Distribution Centres that don’t use Toll as a middle-man to fuck over worker’s conditions. I have been down at the picket a few times since it started on Tuesday. It’s an inspiration to see old-fashioned unionism where workers are actually blocking the trucks from getting in and out. There’s some videos on my YouTube channel with some interviews and speeches with workers as well as some creative actions at Coles supermarkets.
Last Friday, Vignette Press launched Geek Mook, a collection of geeky writing including my piece ‘Make the rich tap out: class war in professional wrestling.’ I had a great time doing a reading there as Mr 99%, Bolshi Ben Solah. You can get a copy of Geek Mook at most bookstores and there’s digital editions in most formats coming soon.
On that note, on Saturday night, I went to my first MCW – Melbourne City Wrestling – show at the Thornbury theatre and had a blast. For those who are into wrestling and live in Melbourne, it’s definitely worth getting along too. It’s lots of fun and I was impressed with the range and intensity of moves, hardly a softer version of big budget companies like WWE or TNA. I think I want to add being involved some how in a wrestling show to my ‘bucket list’ if I even have one of those.
So coming up, on Tuesday night I am reading poetry alongside Ali Alizadeh and Amanda Anastasi on the theme of refugees at the launch of Azlan McLennan’s art exhibition, #Occupy Mandatory Detention. The launch will start at 5.30 at the RMIT First Site Gallery. And on Saturday night, I will be performing a new spoken word piece on the theme of genocide at a commemoration of Black July, a pogrom organised against the Tamils by the Sri Lankan government in 1983.
On that note, I have set up a new page for ‘Performances & Appearances’ that lists performances and other gigs upcoming as well past highlights. I’ve also updates my publication page and rewritten my bio.
Coming up on the blog are reviews of China Miéville’s Railsea and Past the Shallows by Favel Parrett. Will try to keep the blog moderately updated throughout semester.
