Did you know Swarovski is worth more down under?

Yeah, I know.  It seems by just being within Australia everything becomes more valuable. MAC, Levis, Apple...there isn't really any point naming each company - there are too many to count.

My mum and I were looking through Swarovski, admiring possible wedding jewellery and bling-blingy rings.  It was fun.  Until I checked the price when I got home against the US price.  

A ring selling for $245 in Australia is only worth $155 (US) in America.  I get a bit of price difference.  But a 50% mark up? I don't get it.

So I emailed them to find out why.

I'm hoping you can explain to me the difference in prices on the Australian and US sites (Australia and the rest of the world in general actually).

I was hoping to buy my mum the Maeva Golden Ring for her birthday.  After hearing about my friend's Swarovski binge in the US I thought I would change the URL to the US site to see if the prices were different.  $245 v $155.  That's $155 US as well so it is actually $149 Australian.

Why is their such a difference?  It certainly doesn't cost $90 to ship a single ring over.  There certainly isn't $90 difference in taxes either.  Any other extras like rent of stores and sales staff will have already been built in to the price as, at last check, you still have them in the USA.  So why?

I am completely sick and tired of being ripped off just because I live in Australia.  Make up, clothes, jewellery, music, computers...all marked up purely because we have been conditioned to accept it. 

Are you aware of Illamasqua's latest stand? http://www.illamasqua.com/fairpriceforbeauty/  My friends and I have actually switched to them because of that.

I look forward to your explanation of the mark up.  I'm sure it will further my frustrations regarding shopping in Australia.

Needless to say I wasn't surprised by the response:

Thank you for your email.

We can totally understand your disappointment concerning the price differences.

It is a fact that the Australian dollar has increased in value compared to foreign currencies. This is the reason why Australian products became more expensive. As the media informs us daily, this topic affects the complete retail trade and also we notice this competitive disadvantage with regards to pricing.

The differences are however not only due to currency exchange factors, but also due to differences in import or special luxury good taxes, duty free purchases, floating exchange rates and the general local pricing of luxury goods in a specific market.

Against the background of this complex subject, we are unable to perform a short-term price adjustment. We are analyzing the situation regularly and are eager to provide exemplary customer service to you.

Thank you for your understanding.

With best regards,

Let's face it, I expected that result.  But can this really justify the price difference?  It doesn't in my mind.  It makes me angry.

As per the link in my email, Illamasqua realised, after noticing so many Australian's placing orders to their UK online store, that the mark up in Australia was ridiculous.  In the UK they are placed at a slightly higher price point than MAC so when they got to Australia they just did that.  It's only when they looked in to it they realised how much more expensive their product was in Australia.

And you know what they did?  They reduced the price.  They realised it was unfair.  Amazingly enough people are still buying the stuff. They even gained some new customers.

Who would've thunk it?

I guess I can name a few...

Play the ball

Alan Jones has been at it again.

We all know what he said, and if you tuned in to his press conference you know he "apologised".

Personally, qualifying your apology the amount of times he did kind of took away the whole concept of an apology.  

Oh, didn't you hear?  It wasn't actually his fault.  He was just repeating something said to him at his godchild's party (poor kid).  He didn't actually come up with it.  And he said it at a private function.  And there weren't meant to be any journalists there.  And it was just an off the cuff remark.  And anyway, she is destroying the joint.  Pink batts, school halls, carbon tax, lying, back stabbing...I know I've missed some of the reasons behind his comment but you can see where I'm going.

The thing is there is NO excuse for what he said.  It doesn't matter whether Julia Gillard is our Prime Minister or not, saying her father died of shame is disgraceful.  To say that about anyone is just not on.

To be honest it says a lot more about Alan Jones, the fact that he felt the need to verbalise these thoughts, than anything else.  Even if they weren't his thoughts I would think a so-called respected member of society would, on hearing these comments, call them up on saying something so disgusting.  Apparently not.

I understand he has issues with the Labor Party.  But he seems to forget that the issues are with the Labor Party of which Julia Gillard is one person.  She isn't the only person in the Labor Party...or have I missed something.  Half the things he brought up as excuses for saying what he did didn't actually happen while Julia Gillard was leader.

His attacks are personal.  It's quite amazing that he can't see it.  His actions are that of a bully.  And like all bullies he feels completely justified in his actions.

It's quite sad, really.  

But you want to know what's really sad?  There are a group of people who agree with him.  Who support him.  Those that condone his actions through lack of action.  His listeners; his employers; the organisations that financially support the program.  

Alan Jones is a man who likes sports so maybe he'll get this analogy: play the ball, not the man.

Maybe that's the problem.

The Daily Grind

Sometimes it is really hard to stay positive.  It’s really hard to keep going

It’s nearly ten years since I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Everyday is a struggle.  A struggle to get up.  A struggle to shower.  A struggle to dress.  A struggle to eat.  The struggle begins.

It would be easy to give in.  It’s all I’ve wanted to do for the past few months.  Give in to the struggle.  Stay in bed.  Isolate myself from all the reminders that my life is not what I wish it could be. 

But I can’t.  I can’t because that isn’t who I am.  It’s not who I want to be.  Once you give in to it what’s the next step?  There is nowhere to go. 

The other option?  To keep going.  To continue to fight against exhaustion, illness, pain.  To keep the light at the end of the tunnel in my mind even if I can’t always see it.  To forgive myself for the bad days and celebrate the good.

It’s not always easy.  In fact it is nearly always really difficult.  But if I keep going there is a chance tomorrow will be a little bit better.  And who knows where it will go from there...

Judging Judo

There's something you should know about me: I LOVE THE OLYMPICS!

I love the countdown, the hype, the criticism of the uniforms, the incredibly long parade of nations, the winning...but perhaps most of all I love that I get to watch ridiculous sports.  Sports that leave me wondering how the hell they qualify to be in the Olympics.  Sports that leave me wondering what the hell is going on.


Last night I was lucky enough to have one of these moments.  Although I didn't really know at the time, I was witnessing the gold medal match (is that what it is? or duel? combat? date?) for the Mens 66kg division between Georgian Lasha Shavdatuashvil and Hungarian Miklos Hungvari.  I didn't know their names until five minutes ago so I referred to them as Serial Killer and Terminator respectively.


I'd explain what was happening but I had no idea.  I still have no idea.  All I know is Serial Killer won even though it looked like Terminator was kicking his arse.  I don't really think the commentators knew what was happening either.  Surely they'd explain it if they knew?

See, Teminator looks like he is beating Serial Killer

To give you some kind of visual this is what happened: Terminator and Serial Killer would replicate Colin Firth and Hugh Grant's fight scene in Bridget Jones's Diary minus the fountain.  A few bitch slapping actions would occur.  One, usually Serial Killer (when I was watching anyway) would get thrown to the ground - though it looked like they just lost their footing.   The other would then sit on their head.  After a few seconds the ref would come over, tell them to get up, they'd walk to separate sides of the mat.  Repeat.


Maybe Serial Killer got extra points because he looked like he was trying harder.  His blue suit kept coming undone whereas Terminators stayed perfectly tied for the fight.  

So, I have no idea what happened, and I certainly don't feel any the wiser for watching, but congrats to Shavdatuashvil on your gold medal and Hungvari (very convenient that his name is so similar to his country) on your silver.  I'm sure you deserved it and fought/combated/dueled/judoed very well.  






Do you have an Olympic sport you can't stand, or simply don't understand?
 

Refugees, Ryan and the woeful state of Aussie politics

This is a little old.  The boat has sailed, so to speak.  

As hopefully most of you are aware, Australian politics is well and truly screwed.  Nothing showed this more than a few weeks ago when our pollies cried and sobbed and promised to help these people dying off the coast of Australia and then, unsurprisingly, did nothing and went on a six week break.

I, like most Australians, was (and still am) furious.  These people are elected by us to make this country the best it can be.  Instead they take for granted the power we have given them.  They do what will win them votes instead of what's right.  

In my fury I wrote an email to my Federal MP, Bill Shorten.  It was sent on Friday 29 June.  Since I've heard nothing (not that I expected to) I've decided to publish it here.  I do this because I think people need to understand what it is like to be a refugee/asylum seeker in Malaysia, the great hope of the Labor party.  Although I don't do a good job at describing it, I hope that Ryan's story may strike a cord with someone out there.  Someone who might actually be able to do something.

Dear Mr Shorten,

I’m writing this to you as my local Federal MP, though I wish it could be seen by all of the people elected to pretend to run this country.  After all, you all have a lot to answer for.

Let’s forget the fact that the current Labor and Coalition parties have managed to disillusion any and everybody who ever had faith in our political system by bickering constantly and worrying more about winning votes and slamming the “other side” than doing what is right for this country.  Forget about the fact that the majority of Australian’s want to legalise same sex marriage in this country but you are all such a bunch of prudes you won’t allow this to happen (after all, why would we get a say).  Let’s focus on the fact that you (and by you I mean the Labor and Coalition) are playing with peoples lives and don’t care. 

Yes, I saw the tears.  I’m not saying they aren’t genuine.  I’m saying they are misplaced.  Because if you really cared about asylum seekers you would be doing everything in your power (of which you have a bit) to make sure these people are welcomed to Australia. 

These people aren’t jumping on leaky boats simply for a change of scenery.  They are risking their lives and those of their young families because they can not see any viable alternative.  I’m not saying there isn’t an alternative, but you and I can not imagine what it is like to live in such terror for our lives through no fault of our own, and until we do we can not judge whether we would risk the trip by boat to Australia.

I know what comes next.  You jump up and down with pointed finger and yell “It’s their fault! It’s their fault!”.  Yes, the Coalition and Greens voted against the Malaysian solution the other day.  AND THANK GOD THEY DID!  The only people who are seeing straight in this whole thing are the Greens and I never thought I would say that.

The Malaysian solution doesn’t work.  And I can tell you this because I know a Burmese refugee in Malaysia who has told me his story.

Ryan worked for an NGO in Burma.  In his spare time he and some mates handed out a few pamphlets on democracy.  Probably not the smartest thing to do in Burma at the time (especially since he was already part of the ethnic minority) but they wanted a better Burma for everyone.  He was arrested and held indefinitely with no trial.  His clothes were taken from him, he was hardly fed, and he was tortured every day.  They continued to torture him even though he had nothing to tell them.  After seven months they offered them a deal: sign a document stating they were working in cahoots with Aung San Suu Kyi and they would be let go.  Of course they took this option, even though it wasn’t true. 

Ryan went back to working with the NGO in another village.  One day his brother arrived telling him the police were looking for him again.  So he did the only thing he could do at the time.

The next day he was smuggled out of Burma with the end destination being Malaysia.  It was an incredibly dangerous journey.  One where his life was constantly at risk, but it was the only thing he could do.

After arriving in Malaysia he thought that was that.  He was not aware of having to register with the UN.  I mean, who was going to tell him what he had to do next.  He was in Malaysia for two years before a policeman wouldn’t take a bribe and he was thrown in jail.  Not that jail in Malaysia was that bad.  He got to keep his clothes and he was fed twice a day

When he was let out he registered with the UN as a refugee.  He was accepted.  In other words, the UN recognised his life was in danger if he remained in Burma.  You would think this should be where the story ends.  Well it doesn’t, because as we all know, Malaysia doesn’t recognise UN sanctioned refugees.  Officially Ryan wasn’t allowed to work, drive a motorbike, marry, be sick (no good being sick without access to healthcare).  Frankly, Ryan had no identity.  He didn’t exist.  He still doesn’t.

By this time his brother had joined him through the same channels in Malaysia.  The police had found out he had tipped off his brother and were now after him.  Ryan worked in various restaurants in KL.  This is where my father befriended him.  He has also worked with the UN helping as a counsellor to those who have gone through similar things and a translator.

Ryan is an amazing man.  A person we would be more than lucky to have in Australia.  He is kind-hearted, intelligent, works hard.  But because of circumstances beyond his control he is in a country where he doesn’t exist.  He has a fiancée but can not marry because he is not a citizen...anywhere.  He is stuck in no mans land...

...and we don’t know where he is.  He’s missing.  Because he lives in Malaysia there is a higher than likely chance that he was discovered working and has been put in jail again.  The restaurant where he was a manager doesn’t know where he is.  He just didn’t show up one day.  If you know Ryan you know this isn’t like him.  My dad has asked around and sent him emails but we’ve heard nothing.  This is what happens to refugees in Malaysia.  No rights means no protection. 

Oh, so you have a guarantee.  Well what about those who are already in Malaysia?  Where is their guarantee?

All these people want is a better life.  Why are we persecuting them for this?  Why are we jailing them for this?  Why don’t we care?  Why don’t you care?

You do?  Funny thing is you and your cronies aren’t acting like it.  Well, it would be funny if you weren’t playing with people’s lives.

I look forward to your reply in actions, Mr Shorten.

 
Ryan is a real person.  Ryan is still missing.  People are still risking their lives.  Asylum seekers are still being treated worse than criminals (it isn't illegal to seek asylum).  Our politicians are still doing nothing.  

An Aussie Movie That Shines

(see what I did with the title there?)

The Sapphires.

Lucky me scored free tickets to see this gem (this could get bad) of a movie at the Palace Cinema, Balwyn - naturally I took my mum.

I'll admit, I can be a little hesitant when it comes to Aussie movies.  The good ones these days tend to be as feelgood as someone dropping a rock on your foot.  I'm not saying they are not excellent movies, but they don't tend to be as crazy, cheesy good as the Priscilla and Muriel days.  I'm sure some of you will argue with me, but for me, I may have enjoyed them but I'm not clambering over people trying to get back in to see the movie again.

Lucky for us, The Sapphires is different.  From the word go it is fun.  The cast is incredible, the music amazing.  I didn't want the movie to end (and I'm the type of person who has a lot of trouble sitting still so this is doesn't happen too often).  

So what's it about, I hear you say (I'm not very good at this whole movie reviewing thing.  I tend to just babble on and fly off on tangents).  Ok Clare, focus.

1968. Four Aboriginal girls form a girl group singing soul (of course) and perform for the troops during the Vietnam War.  

Of course it isn't this simple (wouldn't be much of a movie if it was).  They are 'discovered' by Dave Lovelace, played by the superb Chris O'Dowd (major major crush) who does an amazing job channeling David O'Doherty early on, a 'talent scout' (yes, lots of inverted commas, see the movie and you'll understand) in the middle of nowhere.  It's 1968 so, of course, racism is doing it's bit to deny these fabulous girls any credit for their amazing singing.  

Thanks Wikipedia for the pic

They travel to Melbourne where David O'Doherty, sorry, Dave Lovelace, turns them in to a pop/soul group to rival The Supremes.  Naturally they are awesome (with Jessica Mauboy leading the charge this was always going to happen) and are sent to Vietnam as official entertainment.  

I'm going to end the story there because I am bound to spoil it.  And it's the kind of movie not worth spoiling.  

The cast are great.  Debrorah Mailman as mama-bear Gail is fantastic.  Jessica Mauboy's voice shines and she certainly holds her own acting wise (not that I'm any judge).  Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell round out The Sapphires, with Miranda in particular, bringing a trouble making, melodramatic spunk to the movie that can annoys the hell out of you but you can't help but laugh at.  And of course there is Chris O'Dowd.  As mentioned about, I have a small (read massive) crush on this man since his appearance as the Officer Nathan Rhodes.  I don't know why.  There is a small chance it could all come down to the accent (yes, I am that pathetic) but I find him adorable.  His role in this movie is fantastic.  I've written and deleted about five sentences trying to describe his impact on the movie, but I just can't.  Cliched, yes, but you will just need to see it to appreciate it.  To appreciated everything about this great movie.

And the music.  It does help that I was born in the wrong decade and LOVE soul music.  My favourite movie is The Commitments for God's sake so of course I was going to love this movie.  All of the girls have beautiful voices, with Jess Mauboy being an obvious stand out.  Even Chris O'Dowd whips out a tune or two, much to the audiences delight.

Speaking of The Commitments, it does have a real Commitments vibe to it.  It lacks the swearing, grime and sex (well, most of it) of The Commitments but it really comes down to the same thing: underdogs shining against all odds.  When Dave was trying to rev up the girls to sing soul with, well, soul I was half expecting him to whip out the "Irish are the blacks of Europe, and Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland, and the north-siders are the blacks of Dublin", until I realised it wouldn't be funny in a movie based in 1960's racist Australia.  I mean, I probably would have still found it funny but I guess if you haven't seen The Commitments you probably don't even find it funny now.  It also begs the question why the hell haven't you seen The Commitments?

Anyway, back to The Sapphires.  It really is a special movie.  It's fun, it means something.  It's the kind of movie that leaves you wanting to clap when it finishes (which our whole cinema did).

So there we go.  There is my review.  I'm no Margaret or David, obviously, but hopefully I've got across to you that The Sapphires is really worth seeing.  It comes out in a few weeks in Oz.  I'll be queuing up for another ticket when it does.  

SBS - have I got an offer for you

Believe me, we will both benefit majorly from this proposition.

You employ me.  Yep, it's that simple.  And it's only for three weeks or so of the year.  

And you don't even have to pay me.  You heard right.

So what's the catch, I hear you say.

You send me to the Tour de France.

See, I told you it was simple.

You send me to the Tour, I'll work for free.  You just have to pay for me there.  I'm happy to survive just on pain au chocolat and chocolat chaud.  And gelati - after all it is hot in France.

And what will I do in France for three weeks in France?  I'll give people a backstage pass - show people what the professional telecasters do all day (watch the bike riding then drink wine judging from the tweets).  

I'm telling you - there is a gap in the market...FOR ME!  I'd be awesome, I promise.  I love France, I love cycling, I love talking.  Did I mention you don't have to pay me?

I'm certain people would be interested in the behind the scenes of the TDF.  See the press room, the travelling circus...and if it is a success (which it naturally will be) you can expand my services to include the Giro (I've never been to Italy) and the Vuelta (I love sangria and siestas).

Me in Corsica (I'm down by the third palm tree on the right) reporting for SBS 

So, what do you think? I'll work hard - I'm a massive tweeter so we can count that as my work as well so I'll basically be working 24/7 (for free).  

And I'm not a prima donna like Mr-Tomalaris-Mr-Mike-Tomalaris and need to fly seat 1A (yes, I saw that tweet)...I'm happy to be back of business...no, seriously I'm happy to fly on the wing to get me there (though it does lower my chances of actually arriving in France).

So, have a think about it.  You may thing my proposition is a little one sided but I promise you no regrets in hiring me for this role.  

The ball's in your court SBS - hit me up at @couchmusings.  I look forward to hearing from you.

I pinched the photo from here (thanks letour.fr).  Look at me, already working hard attributing my sources and stuff