I seem to spend a lot of time sleeping these days. I seem to spend a heck of a lot of time, too, just resting.
I think this blog must be the cause. After all, it takes a lot of time to decide on a subject, to mull the idea over, and then to remember it a day or so later. Even typing seems more tiring. For years, by the way, I've complained that computer keyboards aren't as good as typewriters but, when I tried one of those a week or so ago I discovered that it couldn't spell either!
My wife reminds me, often, that "I'm no orphan" (although, of course, I am) and that I "ain't no chicken" either.
The truth is that I'm about as fit and alert as any man should expect when firmly launched into his seventies.
I do a bit of exercise, for instance, and I find that encourages rest and sleep - both of which I enjoy. I do a bit of housework, the occasional odd-job (not enough to make "herself" feel challenged though)and can be persuaded to water things, dig holes and carry stuff in the garden.
But I don't "work" and more,and don't want to. I've friends, I have the time and energy for occasional travel, and interests like this web site to keep me busy enough to wonder how it is that the weeks and years pass to rapidly. And then, of course, there are our kids and the grand-children, about whom I've enthused in earlier postings, and whose enthusiasms today undoubtedly encouraged tonight's item heading.
Now, of course, I'm really tired.
Goodnight!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
By the Zillion
Australia's still-new Prime Minister should have plenty of good ideas for the future after last weekend's "gabfest" for 2000 carefully selected citizens.
The came from all over the nation, from farms, schools, industry, unions and from academia. Whatever possibility for doing the nation good must have been discussed, and the Government has promised to report its intentions by the end of the year on the 200 or so "major ideas" left after serious culling of the original list of thousands.
There's no doubt that all the delegates (with the possible exception of the Leader of the Opposition) found their all-expenses-paid weekend stimulation, and that they worked and talked hard for the potential good of the nation. Certainly, there were plenty of promising proposals, and the great majority of them are likely to fit neatly into "Kevin 07's" party policies.
Just two doubts remain.
Were delegates chosen, in part, because of their policy "suitability?" and . .
Our new PM, in his campaigning, led us to believe he already had plenty of plans in mind.
Well, the so-called 100 day honeymoon is well and truly over, the Wold travel extravaganza is over, for the time. I await the parliamentary developments with interest.
The came from all over the nation, from farms, schools, industry, unions and from academia. Whatever possibility for doing the nation good must have been discussed, and the Government has promised to report its intentions by the end of the year on the 200 or so "major ideas" left after serious culling of the original list of thousands.
There's no doubt that all the delegates (with the possible exception of the Leader of the Opposition) found their all-expenses-paid weekend stimulation, and that they worked and talked hard for the potential good of the nation. Certainly, there were plenty of promising proposals, and the great majority of them are likely to fit neatly into "Kevin 07's" party policies.
Just two doubts remain.
Were delegates chosen, in part, because of their policy "suitability?" and . .
Our new PM, in his campaigning, led us to believe he already had plenty of plans in mind.
Well, the so-called 100 day honeymoon is well and truly over, the Wold travel extravaganza is over, for the time. I await the parliamentary developments with interest.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
New wheels
We bought a new car while were in Tasmania, last month. We turned in a 2.5 year-old Camry for a new Nissan ¨Dualis¨ - and if that doesn´t mean much to you it was all new to us, too.
Why did we need a new car? you might well ask. Well, the Camry was a 3 litre job, with six cylinders and lots of power and an unfashionably large thirst for petrol (now wobbling around $1.55 per litre). It was also a bit big for convenient parking in our tiny garage.
Really,though,the process started when I had to walk around the smallish city of Launceston for four hours while awaiting the fitting of new lenses for my spectacles. After all, what are you supposed to do when you have that much time to spare, except look at new cars?
Having spent those few hours looking at a range of vehicles in one dealership, we then devoted the next two and a half days to inspecting and testing the whole range of cars that fitted our ambitions and it was very hard work. But the compactness of the city meant we needed to do very little travelling.
Anyway, having decided to buy a slightly sporty Honda Civic, we decided, on our way to do the deal, to have another look, and bought the uncomfortably named ¨Dualis¨ - largely on the grounds that it was the only one of its range that would take on board ourselves, the luggage we brought with us (including a music keyboard and stand), plus all the clothes, preserves, grand-kids presents and gadgets we purchased in spare minutes from socialising and travel.
Youĺl be pleased, no doubt that our new, smallish, cross between a 4WD and a sedan, carried us home comfortably and highly economically.
But it wasn´t the most economical holiday we´ve ever had and we plan to live quietly now, for a while at least.
Why did we need a new car? you might well ask. Well, the Camry was a 3 litre job, with six cylinders and lots of power and an unfashionably large thirst for petrol (now wobbling around $1.55 per litre). It was also a bit big for convenient parking in our tiny garage.
Really,though,the process started when I had to walk around the smallish city of Launceston for four hours while awaiting the fitting of new lenses for my spectacles. After all, what are you supposed to do when you have that much time to spare, except look at new cars?
Having spent those few hours looking at a range of vehicles in one dealership, we then devoted the next two and a half days to inspecting and testing the whole range of cars that fitted our ambitions and it was very hard work. But the compactness of the city meant we needed to do very little travelling.
Anyway, having decided to buy a slightly sporty Honda Civic, we decided, on our way to do the deal, to have another look, and bought the uncomfortably named ¨Dualis¨ - largely on the grounds that it was the only one of its range that would take on board ourselves, the luggage we brought with us (including a music keyboard and stand), plus all the clothes, preserves, grand-kids presents and gadgets we purchased in spare minutes from socialising and travel.
Youĺl be pleased, no doubt that our new, smallish, cross between a 4WD and a sedan, carried us home comfortably and highly economically.
But it wasn´t the most economical holiday we´ve ever had and we plan to live quietly now, for a while at least.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Spies unlimited!
Australian bosses, so it seems, will soon have the right (and responsibility) to check their workers’ emails. The new scheme is all part of improving national security, according to our Government.
I can’t help thinking that, in the realm of stupid propositions, this has to be right up near the top.
Firstly, assuming that the checks will be on emails sent to and from the workplace, how’s the “boss” going to find time for his own work if he has to spy on his workers? I can’t see how he could be permitted to appoint a staff member to spy on his or her mates.
I suppose, though, that someone will soon invent software that searches incoming and outgoing mail for mention of sedition, or a range of other crimes such as industrial spying, or pornography, or even illicit romances.
But, surely, our civilisation has reached a pitiful level if government feels the need to instruct employers to spy on their workforce!
Anyway, why don’t they install whopping great computers and spies to vet all of the nation’s emails and phone calls, as is said to be done in the U.S?
What a pity it is that we can’t all grow up!
I can’t help thinking that, in the realm of stupid propositions, this has to be right up near the top.
Firstly, assuming that the checks will be on emails sent to and from the workplace, how’s the “boss” going to find time for his own work if he has to spy on his workers? I can’t see how he could be permitted to appoint a staff member to spy on his or her mates.
I suppose, though, that someone will soon invent software that searches incoming and outgoing mail for mention of sedition, or a range of other crimes such as industrial spying, or pornography, or even illicit romances.
But, surely, our civilisation has reached a pitiful level if government feels the need to instruct employers to spy on their workforce!
Anyway, why don’t they install whopping great computers and spies to vet all of the nation’s emails and phone calls, as is said to be done in the U.S?
What a pity it is that we can’t all grow up!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Softer days
There's a bit of softness in the air around where I live. Clouds abound, now that Autumn's trying to make it's mark. There's still a bit of heat (but not so hot) and the nights are cool, at last. I recall the pleasure (more than six months ago) of removing the heavy Winter blankets from our bed. There was pleasure, sort of equal and opposite, in replacing them a week or so ago.
We've had a bit of rain over the past 10 days - enough to brighten parched lawns and encourage the garden for a few days - but we in South Australia dream of a "proper" season-opening downpour.
Even so, there are nice things about our Autumn. Soft,calm days, gradually greening scenery, and the pleasure (for idlers like ourselves) of staying a little longer in bed on increasingly cool mornings.
As for the rain - "Send her down, Hughie - any time you like!"
We've had a bit of rain over the past 10 days - enough to brighten parched lawns and encourage the garden for a few days - but we in South Australia dream of a "proper" season-opening downpour.
Even so, there are nice things about our Autumn. Soft,calm days, gradually greening scenery, and the pleasure (for idlers like ourselves) of staying a little longer in bed on increasingly cool mornings.
As for the rain - "Send her down, Hughie - any time you like!"
Friday, April 11, 2008
The watching game
My wife thinks I've been converted into an enthusiastic shopping companion, but she's wrong.
I can, however, understand her misreading my readiness to join her on her weekly pilgrimages to the big supermarket a few miles up the road from our place.
It isn't the shopping that appeals, it's the people I see who make the trip worthwhile!
Our area has an unusually wide range of residents. There are Vietnamese market gardeners, "hordes" of immigrants from the UK, descendents of the German families who inspired and maintain much of our wine and grape growing industries, farmers, soldiers from the nearby Army base, and the gamut of "traditional" Aussies - from the unemployed to the wealthy.
What an interesting passing parade for the idle watcher!
Today was the first day of school holidays, and the shopping centre was awash with teenagers - all dressed to celebrate and demonstrate their rediscovered "freedom". Teenage boys mooch past under tousled hair, clad in torn jeans, thongs and confronting T shirts, and they're in startling contrast to the girls. Who could imagine these strutting, heavily made up and giggling fashion interpreters as yesterday's demure, uniformed students?
The kids will be gone next week, leaving the Mums and Dads and their tiny tots, the shift workers, the down-and-outs, and the oldies like us.
There's always plenty to stir my imagination on shopping day.
And then, of course, there's helping with the shopping.
I can, however, understand her misreading my readiness to join her on her weekly pilgrimages to the big supermarket a few miles up the road from our place.
It isn't the shopping that appeals, it's the people I see who make the trip worthwhile!
Our area has an unusually wide range of residents. There are Vietnamese market gardeners, "hordes" of immigrants from the UK, descendents of the German families who inspired and maintain much of our wine and grape growing industries, farmers, soldiers from the nearby Army base, and the gamut of "traditional" Aussies - from the unemployed to the wealthy.
What an interesting passing parade for the idle watcher!
Today was the first day of school holidays, and the shopping centre was awash with teenagers - all dressed to celebrate and demonstrate their rediscovered "freedom". Teenage boys mooch past under tousled hair, clad in torn jeans, thongs and confronting T shirts, and they're in startling contrast to the girls. Who could imagine these strutting, heavily made up and giggling fashion interpreters as yesterday's demure, uniformed students?
The kids will be gone next week, leaving the Mums and Dads and their tiny tots, the shift workers, the down-and-outs, and the oldies like us.
There's always plenty to stir my imagination on shopping day.
And then, of course, there's helping with the shopping.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
No vegetables
My friend "A" has lived in the suburbs of our city for as long as I've known him. He (now 70) and his charming wife have revelled in the convenience and luxury of the smallish home they designed furnished and cherished over the years. "Smart Cookies", as I've often thought to myself, but they presented their friends with a big surprise this week.
My highly urbanised friends have sold up, and they're moving, lock, stock and barrel, to a "mansion", on 10 hectares, on the side of a mountain range,inter-state.
We "sensible" people could make fun of these two, of course, for their mature-age sea-change decision. But they do have reasons - like two adult sons, living in the national capital, 16 hours away now, but just an hour's drive after the big move.
"But really," my friend told me a day or so ago,"We're doing it because we want to, and because we can!"
"Good on them," I reckon. There's no law that says we have to vegetate as we age.
My highly urbanised friends have sold up, and they're moving, lock, stock and barrel, to a "mansion", on 10 hectares, on the side of a mountain range,inter-state.
We "sensible" people could make fun of these two, of course, for their mature-age sea-change decision. But they do have reasons - like two adult sons, living in the national capital, 16 hours away now, but just an hour's drive after the big move.
"But really," my friend told me a day or so ago,"We're doing it because we want to, and because we can!"
"Good on them," I reckon. There's no law that says we have to vegetate as we age.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Rugged life "up top"
Life's tough for trees and bushes on the high-country plateau of Tasmania - that heart-shaped island at the nation's Southern extremity.The weathered old tree in the foreground (above) is a sort of pine, and it is quite closely related to the Sequoias (in the United States) and which are said to be the tallest trees on Earth, the pine is just one of the stars of a small protected lake/swamp area on the way to the island's Great Lake.
Dorothy and I did the boardwalk tour there on a trip last month, and learned a lot about how life can continue in an ultra-harsh environment. The bushes there have tiny, close-packed and folded leaves, the nearest thing to grass on the swampy soil is close-packed, and wild-flowers there are tiny and tough.
We've driven past this site several times in past years, but this was the first time we were encouraged to stop and look. Normally there's rain there, or a howling, icy gale, or rain.
This is not, generally, a friendly place, way up on the top of Tassie.
But we go back every year.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
All that glitters
The window displays of jewellers operating in supermarkets around our place are always a showplace for mind-blowing advertising.
How about this for a bargain? -
"Solid gold chain necklace
was $1380
now just $590!”
Now then – Either those necklaces are almost without any trace of gold, or they’re making their own gold, or they must have stolen it. Last time I heard the financial reports, you see, an ounce of gold was worth more than $900!
What with the everyday offerings of specials at “Half the Marked Price” it’s had to imagine that these businesses, and all the others like them, aren’t breaking at least one or two laws!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
It's pouring down!
The rain's been pouring down here over the past 30 hours or so. Not constant, but a consistent series of heavy showers, accompanied by near tornado strength winds and (would you believe?) dust storms.
This heavy, noisy deluge won't fill all the dams, or noticeably replenish the Murray River, but it will establish season's opening for the farmers, and it will rescue thousands of home gardens amd trees.
I tell you all this because you deserve it - having read my previous grumbles about our long drought.
In fact, the storms have hit most of the nation's Southern and South eastern zones, and thousands will accept the loss of trees, roofing iron and sheds as a sort of payment for the gift of water.
Dorothy and I were in Tasmania for a few weeks up to a week ago, and were shocked to find much of that mountainous island in desperate trouble over their own 10-year drought, and on our drive to Melbourne we'd already seen stark, dead trees and barren paddocks,
It's not surprising, I suppose that we tend to believe we're the only ones in trouble. Its no wonder, either, that so many of us are becoming convinced that "Global Warming" is a fact. . . . But I note a recent (credible) report that a listing of scientists who believe in the "man-made phenomonen" is only half as long as that representing the equally qualified non-believers.
Anyway - It is very wet and quite cool here in South Australia, and that's good enough for the present.
This heavy, noisy deluge won't fill all the dams, or noticeably replenish the Murray River, but it will establish season's opening for the farmers, and it will rescue thousands of home gardens amd trees.
I tell you all this because you deserve it - having read my previous grumbles about our long drought.
In fact, the storms have hit most of the nation's Southern and South eastern zones, and thousands will accept the loss of trees, roofing iron and sheds as a sort of payment for the gift of water.
Dorothy and I were in Tasmania for a few weeks up to a week ago, and were shocked to find much of that mountainous island in desperate trouble over their own 10-year drought, and on our drive to Melbourne we'd already seen stark, dead trees and barren paddocks,
It's not surprising, I suppose that we tend to believe we're the only ones in trouble. Its no wonder, either, that so many of us are becoming convinced that "Global Warming" is a fact. . . . But I note a recent (credible) report that a listing of scientists who believe in the "man-made phenomonen" is only half as long as that representing the equally qualified non-believers.
Anyway - It is very wet and quite cool here in South Australia, and that's good enough for the present.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
I'm Open Sauced!
I now have a bi-lingual laptop PC - running both Windows XP and Linux operating systems.
Now that might not be very important to you, but it's a great achievement for me, after having tried (sporadically), for years to get the "open source" software running securely.
It isn't that I've needed to load Linux, because "good old" Microsoft Windows has always been adequate for my computing needs. But Linux has such a passionate lot of advocates for the last few years that I've had this sense of duty to give it a try.
My wife has said, all along, that I should have left well alone, that I always have a "disaster" and should have better things to do. On average, my wife has been right, but I'm a winner at last.
I should explain, though, that I'm writing this blog on my Windows-powered desktop PC, because by blog doesn't look right in Linux and I don't want to waste the effort that's going into correcting my recurring and consistent typing mistakes.
The system that I installed is called "Kubuntu", which is a version of "Ubuntu", which is one of the more popular (of many) versions of the basic "Linux" - all of which are the result of valiant attempts by highly motivated and skilled enthusiasts to provide a freely accesible alternative to the giant Microsoft offerings, and those of Apple. But it seems,to me, that they have a fair way to go.
My "Kubuntu", loaded from a single disc, looks great, and it has, as standard, most of the packages I need. Unfortunately, it takes ages to start up and, in contrast to "Windows", needs more than good guessing to load extra packages, and I'm not that good at reading manuals, these days.
"Kubuntu" is the best Linux I've yet tried and (as I've already admitted) the first I've installed without causing PC catastrophe. I reckon, though, that I'll put it aside until it competes on equal terms.
But I wish them all luck, and my comments section is open to all who reckon I'm wrong.
PS. My wife doesn't understand that I really like teasing my computers, and I suppose I really should read the Kubuntu manual.
Now that might not be very important to you, but it's a great achievement for me, after having tried (sporadically), for years to get the "open source" software running securely.
It isn't that I've needed to load Linux, because "good old" Microsoft Windows has always been adequate for my computing needs. But Linux has such a passionate lot of advocates for the last few years that I've had this sense of duty to give it a try.
My wife has said, all along, that I should have left well alone, that I always have a "disaster" and should have better things to do. On average, my wife has been right, but I'm a winner at last.
I should explain, though, that I'm writing this blog on my Windows-powered desktop PC, because by blog doesn't look right in Linux and I don't want to waste the effort that's going into correcting my recurring and consistent typing mistakes.
The system that I installed is called "Kubuntu", which is a version of "Ubuntu", which is one of the more popular (of many) versions of the basic "Linux" - all of which are the result of valiant attempts by highly motivated and skilled enthusiasts to provide a freely accesible alternative to the giant Microsoft offerings, and those of Apple. But it seems,to me, that they have a fair way to go.
My "Kubuntu", loaded from a single disc, looks great, and it has, as standard, most of the packages I need. Unfortunately, it takes ages to start up and, in contrast to "Windows", needs more than good guessing to load extra packages, and I'm not that good at reading manuals, these days.
"Kubuntu" is the best Linux I've yet tried and (as I've already admitted) the first I've installed without causing PC catastrophe. I reckon, though, that I'll put it aside until it competes on equal terms.
But I wish them all luck, and my comments section is open to all who reckon I'm wrong.
PS. My wife doesn't understand that I really like teasing my computers, and I suppose I really should read the Kubuntu manual.
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