I have thought about the girlchild and feminism long and hard.

Some days I wonder if being conservative was the only way for her to rebel against her mother.  I was raised by my grandmother. Her conservativism helped to send me into gothic, feminist, motorcycle-riding rebellion.

The girlchild marched next to me as I reclaimed the night, she saw me somber for Thursdays in black.  She came along to the FLAPS meetings and listened to us laugh.  While I was studying at the Northern Territory University, she quietly sat next to me, drawing pictures of australopithecines when I couldn’t find childcare, but had to attend an Anthroplogy lecture. She understood the limitations and the unfairness.  She is the outcome of sole-parent parenting and has seen and felt discrimination of that first-hand.

She is a strong, formidable person- and under no illusions.

She has been taught to use the tools, the knowledge and possess the confidence needed to advocate if she feels she must.  Right now she is gorging on her "it" time in this society which values (and rewards) young, intelligent, beautiful people.

I will watch her maturation with interest and pride, and if she needs a refresher course in placard writing then I am her grrrl.  If,  in fact, she glides through life, without having to face battles related to her gender, then I am still her grrrl.  My approval, love and acceptance of the girlchild is unconditional.

If my contribution to feminism has helped her (and her peers) have an easier time as women then what we were advocating for has occurred. 

I continually observe her using aspects of a feminist ideology- that is the expectation of equality between the sexes.  What she resists is the collectivism (and the ‘sharing’ inherent in that) and the feminist label.

There is a crypto-feminist in the house!  

Image from here  

Last night, on channel 27, on my cable TV, I watched part one of a six part series called "How to Start Your Own Country."  It was such a bold, refreshing, silly delight that I was completely hooked. 

It’s a show created by Danny Wallace who thought about starting his own country after spending a year living by his manifesto…

‘I, Danny Wallace, being of sound mind and body, do hereby write this manifesto for my life. I swear I will be more open to opportunity. I swear I will live my life taking every available chance. I swear I will say Yes to every favour, request, suggestion and invitation. I SWEAR I WILL SAY YES WHERE ONCE I WOULD HAVE SAID NO.’

I have been inspired and will attempt to ‘Say yes more’.

Image from here 

Just about to head off for Leichhardt for today’s gathering of bloggers, commenters and friends. I’ll be giving a ride to a fellow blogger. 

Attached is my smile and his. We hope to meet you there. 

As a result of a previous post and subsequent comments, susoz over at personal political has organised a place for any and all bloggers to feel welcome.

When: Saturday February 18, 3-5pm (to be precise)

Where: Bar Italia, 169-171 Norton Street, Leichhardt – out the back in the garden (unless it’s raining, in which case I suppose we’ll be somewhere inside, towards the back).

ID: This is a tricky one. How will we recognise each other? Suggestions?

See you there.   

I made it to Sydney Grogblogging III.

No amount of previous meetings makes these events any easier.  What do I say to someone who hasn’t visited my blog and does not know who I am. 

"Hi I’m Suki and I have an opinion."

"Who? What was that? Cindy was it?"

Thankfully there were minimal blind-date type uncomfortable moments.  Some guys I approached near our group were not bloggers and are probably still wondering what a blog is…oops.

Until Naomi arrived I was the only female blogger/commenter.  Whilst this is not problematic it is surprising. 

Perhaps a different type of meet-up without Grog, RSL club and late into a Saturday night in the Sydney CBD would attract more women bloggers and commenters.   

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those that helped me feel more at home by giving themselves girly nametags.

Thanks guys.

George street, Sydney.