Xmas Day Aftermath

Christmas Day was mostly a non-event, like it was last year for my family. Since mum passed away just over 12 months ago, the family social events have been eased up a-bit. Not that we don’t hold them, but they aren’t the same any more.

Anyways. My brother and sister-in-law with my two nieces came over for dinner, and then did the usual opening of the presents. As I watched my nieces [aged 4 and 2] open their presents, and their expressions of excitement over what Uncle James bought them, I realised that as a gay man, this is something most of us will never experience. Watching young children of our own, full of innocence, charm and - yes - greed. I have never seen a 2-year old rip wrapping paper off a present as fast as Maria did.

After the family event, I went over to one of my closest friends’ place and together we headed to the other side of Adelaide to a party being thrown by a younger friend of mine. Simon - my 22 year friend - was out the front to greet us, as was a friend of his. Now, it’s been a while since I met anyone where I could honestly say I was “lost in their eyes”. This guy was utterly gorgeous! Imagine George Michael and this was Simon’s friend, but in his mid 20s.

I had a hard time most of the night avoiding looking at him, but when I did, well . . let’s say I wouldn’t mind knowing him better. And I did notice his sideways glances at me as well. We ended up having a chat during the night, nothing exciting, just the usual banter of two strangers. It’s when I found out he was a hairdresser, that I thought - well, one way to see what he is really like - and if he passes my “second meeting rule”. Now for those that don’t know, my “second meeting rule” is quite simple. If I meet someone for the first time and I think they are cute, I reserve judgement till the second time I meet them. It allows my over-active libido to subside. LOL. If after the second meeting I feel the same, then I make the effort of getting to know them better.

So, today Saturday December 30th, I went in and got my haircut and colour. Yes, he is a hairdresser so my urgently needed haircut has a good excuse to see him a second time.

I walked away with a brilliant haircut and colour, and knowing a bit more about him. I left with the thought that I want to know this guy better, maybe as a friend, hopefully more. I did kick myself though for not giving him my business card when I left. Mind you he has got my mobile number which I gave to the receptionist when I booked my appointment. However he asked what I was doing New Years Eve, and after telling him which pubs I would be at, he said he would try and get out as well [he was planning on going to a friend’s party].

But in one way, I am glad he didn’t get my business card, as it has my website listed and as such would read this blog. And then how embarrassed would I feel :(

Is he interested? Think so but will have to discretely ask Simon. Am I interested? Like HELLO! And if he doesn’t show up on New Years’ Eve, will I be disappointed? Well, maybe. But then, I always expect the unexpected when I go out, and regardless of how the night turns out, it definitely won’t be how I planned it.

But will keep you all posted. In the meantime, I wish you all a very very Happy New Year!

James

[This also appears on my new blog www.jebadel.com]

Christmas. Yikes!

Can’t believe it but Christmas is only 9 days away! Woke up this morning after a hectic night last night, only to find a message from my sister-in-law on my mobile, reminding me. Mind you, it also included a “hope you had a good night last night” and “for your nieces, can you please …..”.

Anyway, decided to get the Christmas shopping out of the way and headed off to the local shopping mall. Three hours later, I finally walked out with the two bikies and two Dora rocking chairs for my nieces. Not that it took me that long to find them. It was the damn queues and people with screaming uncontrollable children that took me so long.

I must have spent atleast an hour in the checkout queue! What made it worse was the fact that in front of me was a young couple with two kids, both screaming and crying because they couldn’t get their “must have” DVD of The Wiggles. And behind me was a couple arguing over how much they spent on his “useless parents”.

Finally got home, unloaded the stuff, and got myself a scotch and coke! God! That really felt good. And to top it off, sent a message to my sister-in-law saying “the stuff is bought. Just bring wrapping paper and wrap them” LOL Nah, I am not that mean. I will do them later, but for the time being, the scotch tastes wonderful and the airconditioning relaxing.

James signing off.

Also at www.jebadel.com

Turkey, EU and the membership issue

For those that know me, I have a fascination for what is happening in Europe and the gradual transformation the European Union into a federal state. Currently 25 countries form the EU, with another half a dozen or so waiting for their memberships to be approved. It is expected that within the next 20 years, practically every single country in Europe will be within the EU, thus creating the third largest political entity after China and India.

One of those countries wishing to become a member of the EU is Turkey, which has been a Associate Member since 1964 and recognised as a candidate for membership in 1987. As with every other country that joins the EU, Turkey is required to meet certain criteria before being admitted. Under the membership guidelines that Turkey accepted, the EU measures Turkey’s implementation of its obligations. And this is where the issue arises.

The EU does not expect anything more from Turkey than what it expected from the other countries that have joined the EU in the past. To join the EU, Turkey must meet the following Copenhagen criteria established by the European Council in 1993:

* stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities
* the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union
* the ability to take on the obligations of membership including adherence to the aims of political, economic & monetary union

In Turkey’s defence, the Turkish government has made considerable strides in trying to bring their country in line with the Copenhagen criteria through political and economic reform. However, it has continually failed to abide by the requirement to allow trade with all other EU member states. It’s continual denial of access to its ports by Cyprus [an EU member] is contrary to its obligations under the EU agreement which it signed. Bringing into the equation of northern Cyprus is a side issue, for its only Turkey going through the official EU membership process not northern Cyprus.

True, northern Cyprus needs to resolve its differences with the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, but this is an issue for the two Cypriot communities. Turkey opening up the two northern Cypriot ports to Cyprus rather than Turkish ports, is contrary to their EU membership obligations.

The end result to this is quite simple. If Turkey is serious about joining the European Union, it needs to abide by the criteria that the EU has set in place and which Turkey has signed. The criteria are non-negotiable and Turkey needs to realise this. The EU will not reduce the requirements for membership for Turkey, and the sooner they realise, this the better.

Greece - Turkey’s long standing rival - has thrown its support behind Turkey’s admittance into the EU, in the hope that by having Turkey within the Union, peace and stability can be brought into the region. Further, Greece’s support is crucial to the resolution of the Cyprus issue and the eventual unification of the divided island.

For Turkey, the best option would be to focus on fulfilling its membership obligations with the EU, and leave the Cyprus issue aside. Once it fulfills its obligations, Turkey - in conjunction with Greece - can then turn their attention to resolving the Cyprus issue.

Having said that, my gravest concern with Turkey joining the EU is this. If Turkey is not willing to abide by the membership conditions that every other country had to abide by before joining, how are they going to act once they do become a member of the European Union?

Time will tell what the outcome will be, but at the present, the chest-beating by Turkey is doing no one any good, especially Turkey.

James Bailey