tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25231571342004028432024-03-14T08:41:25.731+11:00scuze iFruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.comBlogger375125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-16525546692461678682014-12-22T02:05:00.000+11:002014-12-22T02:05:27.004+11:00Hello, Happy Christmas, Hanukah or even just Holidays<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
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Thank you to my lovely blogging friends who wrote to me
earlier this year when I stopped posting. And another thank you to Ann ODyne
for the Christmas wishes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It has been an ‘interesting’ year. When I say ‘interesting’
I mean it in much the same way a person might say “Tony Abbott is Interesting”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A quick summary:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Aunty, after a million medical dramas, is in marvellous nick
and living in a very low care facility on the other side of town, closer to her
children. Because it’s low care, she is happy to have people she can actually
talk to, even if they do repeat themselves a lot. I believe her when she says
this, because she has told me so often.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The organisation she is now “in with” has several facilities
and, as Aunty’s daughter puts it, as she comes to need more care she can just graduate to a higher care facility with no fuss. The one that provides the highest level of care
is just near the Fawkner Cemetery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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JJ has finished her EN course, passed her occupational
English test, has a driver’s licence, and has moved to live with friends at
Cranbourne.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My right arm is slowly becoming more useful, and everything
else seems to be chugging along fine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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TO has had a crap year healthwise including, but by no means
limited to, weird stuff with her eyes – she is not a good passenger but has let
me chauffeur her everywhere for 3 months while she recovered from various eye
operations. Nothing would terrify me more than the possibility of going blind.
However, the outcome has been a lot better than expected<o:p></o:p></div>
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God bless her, TO has let go of TONNES of ‘stuff’, the shed
is chockas with packed ‘other stuff’, the For Sale sign is out the front and,
if the person who shall remain nameless at the bank that shall remain nameless
gets her act together, the deposit on our newer smaller home in Hastings will
only be a week late. All being well the contract won’t be cancelled, which will
be a relief cos we’ve been looking to buy since April.<o:p></o:p></div>
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D’Arcy and Maude are aging gracefully. Poor old Maude of
Puppy farm fame has terrible problems with her back and hips, and is living on
doggy doses of tramadol along with regular cortisone shots. She doesn’t bother
yapping anxiously at the door any more, just holds court from her bed in the
lounge room. However, as the house is near empty, the sound is still rather
horrendous. Am thinking I might need to call a dog whisperer [for TO] before we
move.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A Wattle bird is sitting on a clutch of eggs, having built a
nest in the [red] tecoma that grows right next to the back steps. Very
trusting, as are the maggies that walk up to me on the back porch as if to say “Oy
– when is she going to feed us?” TO has a special call for when she feeds them –
puts me in mind of turkeys gobbling, but if it works, why not? Seems maggies
are not overly sensitive about matters of race.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The hoya is starting to flower again <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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TO’s mum is hearty and hale. Very content and thinks it’s
hilarious that she doesn’t remember anything for long. </div>
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Aunty Elsie turned 102
last week – she is terribly, terribly frail. TO’s mum had no idea why the
selection of cakes was so varied on the day, but enjoyed the birthday party in
the hostel where she and Elsie both live.</div>
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Dear friends,<o:p></o:p></div>
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I wish wonderful things for you over the Christmas and New
Year period, and a fantastic year to come.<o:p></o:p></div>
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love<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fruity<o:p></o:p></div>
FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-22925760280118230542014-06-28T21:32:00.001+10:002014-06-28T21:32:07.289+10:00one for dog people<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Watching a dog sleep will never be the same again.</span></div>
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-74257867449670187862014-06-26T01:45:00.001+10:002014-06-26T01:45:43.024+10:00hizbull part 1<div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yesterday I got into an internet conversation about the “Festival
of Dangerous Ideas” at the Sydney Opera House, and the decision to invite Hizb
ut-Tahrir to give a talk justifying crimes of honour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The <i><a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/trendy-lefties-giving-a-voice-to-barbaric-crime/story-fni0cwl5-1226965612825">Daily Telegraph</a></i>
gives an example of what crime of honour means: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">…the murder of a woman by
relatives who feel she has dishonoured the family by, say, being raped...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Have you read what Wikipedia has to say about Hizb ut-Tahrir?”
asked TO’s cousin. I dutifully read it, then threw up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the sake of
readability [not to mention spellability] I’m going to call this “branch of
Islam” “hizbull”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While the content of the <i>Daily
Telegraph</i> article matters, the first thing I noticed was that Miranda
Devine [the female Andrew Bolt] was the author... Sure enough, the first
comments on the article reflected Miranda’s two favourite mantras:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. why are the feminists silent?; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. why don't moderate muslims speak out ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe a clue to the feminist angle can be found in the
headline "Trendy lefties giving a voice to barbaric crime". Is the expression “trendy lefty” meant to be a tautology? Subtext: ALL feminists and/or leftists are so stupid they support a mysoginistic ideology rather than be
oppressive of others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As for moderate Muslims speaking out, to do so they would
have to have a voice. Do media moguls make money out of asking for – or even
passing on – what moderate Muslims think? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even journalists who care about
representing the moderate Muslim viewpoint all seem to have Waleed Aly’s name
and number at the top of their contacts list, and no others underneath it. Bolt says Aly was once a spokesman for the Islamic Council of Victoria, but the last time I went searching for other contacts I didn't have a lot of success. [Maybe I should be paranoid and wonder why they don't want me to find them?]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a lot of respect for Waleed Aly. Unfortunately, like
every other human on the planet today, there is nothing he can say that can’t
be turned against him. Quite simply, we live in a world of snippets and rarely
get to hear what someone has said in its original context. Here, for example,
is a <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/waleed-aly-avoiding-the-obvious-truth/story-fni0ffxg-1226909383829?nk=c594aa4e8785ebc52764c9721af0fec6">Boltism</a>:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aly protects the media class from having to confront the difficult: is
Islam a threat?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wonder if Waleed ever gets sick of it. The quality of the
following clip is not the greatest, but it speaks volumes in just 41 seconds:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Decent Muslims struggle to distance themselves from so-called
“Islamic” terrorists just because the name of their faith has been co-opted, so
I’m going to re-brand hizbull and the like: Forget fatwas, from now on I’m
going to call these pseudo-Islamic terrorists <i>pwefbas </i>– piss weak excuse for
being assholes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">--------------<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Freedom
of speech is one of those issues that leave me conflicted. It’s a right and a
good, but something that lends itself to abuse. Yes, there are laws about libel
and slander and inciting hatred, but nothing can stop people from saying
naughty things in a whisper. In any case, technologically speaking the horse
has bolted. We can’t silence these pwefbas completely, but I’m not sure we
should be actively promoting or supporting hate-mongering sessions. </span><br />
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<br />FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-27272131538512032842014-06-24T02:01:00.002+10:002014-06-24T02:01:32.387+10:00the fkn franchise<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
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Say hello to Geoff Shaw, the local Frankston Member of the Victorian
Legislative Assembly. Geoff has a government car and taxpayer petrol allowance,
which is handy because he sells hardware and sometimes needs to move stuff from
one place to another. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Geoff was an endorsed Liberal candidate when first elected,
but has since decided to go it alone. The Liberal Party said yeah but, like,
vote for our bills, won’t you, there’s a good chap.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Geoff is still my local member, but he’s sort of not. I
could feel disenfranchised having an elected member not allowed into
parliament, but no more disenfranchised than usual.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Geoff does not approve of abortion. He made a comment about
“tummy eggs” and got everybody talking about abortion. In fact, he got the
whole world talking about abortion. Geoff just sees this as proof he is a good
rep who constantly raises the profile of Frankston.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/corinne_grant?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fvictoria%2Ftummy-eggs-multiply-antiabortion-mp-geoff-shaw-goes-viral-20140509-zr7xg.html&tw_i=464509563224326145&tw_p=tweetembed"><b><span style="color: #292f33; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;">Corinne Grant</span></b><span style="color: #707070; text-decoration: none;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dear Geoff Shaw, if you really do know a lady with eggs in her tummy, that's not a baby. That's worms. </span><span style="color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tummyeggs&src=hash">#tummyeggs</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UD3TpXZyXoE/U6hMm9479RI/AAAAAAAACSM/IzurmLv5NE8/s1600/tummyeggs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UD3TpXZyXoE/U6hMm9479RI/AAAAAAAACSM/IzurmLv5NE8/s1600/tummyeggs.png" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Say hello to Victoria’s Liberal Premier, Dennis Napthine,
aka napthaline aka naptime. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7C27yOmqhtw/U6hMkFAxg4I/AAAAAAAACRk/-yVSF4FkWDI/s1600/Premier_Denis_Napthine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7C27yOmqhtw/U6hMkFAxg4I/AAAAAAAACRk/-yVSF4FkWDI/s1600/Premier_Denis_Napthine.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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Dennis is a vet by trade, but doesn’t want to pass
Oscar’s Law because he thinks most puppy farms are well run. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was very disappointed with Geoff Shaw’s performance,
defection etc. In turn, I am very disappointed in Dennis because, in addition
to his stand on puppy farms, he wants to build a bloody big hole under Royal
Park rather than deal with transport issues. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m very attached to Royal Park, but perhaps that’s a story
for another day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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-----------<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Say Hello to Daniel Andrews, leader of the Labor opposition
in Victoria. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFLtIUhuS3o/U6hMkSE8cJI/AAAAAAAACSA/v1qsYVZ4_Ro/s1600/783244-daniel-andrews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFLtIUhuS3o/U6hMkSE8cJI/AAAAAAAACSA/v1qsYVZ4_Ro/s1600/783244-daniel-andrews.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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He was hoping he could trick the Liberal Party into calling an
early election as a means of getting rid of Shaw altogether. Andrews doesn’t seem
to understand that Naptime can’t be as stupid as he seems: No one could be that
stupid… could they?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Say hello to Helen Constas, the Labor Party’s answer to
Geoff Shaw. Daniel Andrews reckoned Helen should be a shoo in at the next
election. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQtvqxDWRS0/U6hMlKute9I/AAAAAAAACR0/xOl1ODLfCP0/s1600/helen+constas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQtvqxDWRS0/U6hMlKute9I/AAAAAAAACR0/xOl1ODLfCP0/s1600/helen+constas.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Helen had a faceache page, on which she made a vague statement
about education, and on which I made a comment about her statement. About ten
minutes after my comment was published it was deleted and comments for the
faceache page were disabled altogether. This made me feel powerful, as it might
mean someone actually read my comment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daniel Andrews is very lucky Premier Naptime was not stupid
enough to call an early election, because Helen Constas has resigned as Labor
candidate /shoo in for Frankston. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Constas was forced to settle a $500,000 bullying claim against
her out of court. I’m sure the settlee signed a confidentiality agreement,
which is usually a sure sign that the settler – who in this case would have the
resources to price the settlee out of his/her legal rights – was really and
truly scared the truth might out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, here is democracy at work:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. the Labor Party does not want my input [unless I join up and
pay for the privilege of being trampled by branch stackers]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. I could vote according to the general philosophy of a
party [as suggested by Peter Costello]. Victorian Liberal philosophy,
apparently, includes not giving a damn about puppy farms or public transport.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. I am currently unrepresented in State Parliament. Does
this make an ounce of difference?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. I don’t know of any candidates for the next state election
other than Geoff Omelet. Hee Haw.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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5. The federal government [courtesy the Curtin government’s
monopoly on income tax and s 96 of the constitution] now tells states what to
do – state’s blame feds and feds blame states and nobody takes responsibility
for anything. We should abolish states and use the money saved to actually
achieve something worthwhile.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
An opinion published on the ABC website discusses the issue
of political dissenters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<em><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We might enjoy the odd politician crossing the floor, but the deep-seated
need for stability leads voters ultimately to relegate political dissenters to
nothing more than a romantic diversion, writes <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-23/matthewson-political-dissenters-a-romantic-diversion/5542448">Paula Matthewson</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">i.e. Hmm, it’s nice when
people stand up for a principle we admire, but what if they stand up for
something we don’t admire?<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<em><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Geoff Shaw a romantic diversion? Or, from my side of the
fence, Helen Constas? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think Paula Matthewson gives our system of democracy more
credit than it deserves. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s say I don’t approve of breeding chickens in cages: I
can withhold my money and let store keepers know that I want free range eggs/
poultry. If I don’t approve of my political options, all I can do is withhold
my vote. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only real “spending” power I have in democratic terms is if
someone from a motoring enthusiast party or a wizard offers alternative
products. Gosh, as it is parties who <i>are</i>
endorsed by a majority of voters don’t give a shit about what product[s] we
want. Label it anything, then give us crap. Oh, but so long as it's stable... well, better than a poke in the eye with a polling booth pencil, I guess.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, if I really believed we get the democracy we
deserve, I could apply TO THE GOVERNMENT for a permit to express my view in a public space. Then
if I was really, really lucky, I would find people who agree with me, vote for
me, help without hijacking my party: I could rise to the ultimate position of
power and end up flying around the world - only to lose it all for chucking a
wobbly if someone tried to feed me a sardine sandwich on the flight home. I
would heave my guts up but be mortified and apologetic afterwards - but my credibility as a person of honour and principle would be destroyed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Eggs would be better than sardines – preferably free range
rather than tummy eggs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-43731962491979398462014-06-07T03:28:00.000+10:002014-06-07T03:28:16.308+10:00not our first rhodes scholar at the helm<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="280" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/c3IaKVmkXuk" width="448"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-66384934522940970662014-06-02T14:38:00.000+10:002014-06-02T15:21:58.178+10:00one of our favourite expats<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clive James, now 74, may have emphysema, leukaemia, and not
long to live, but it seems his irrepressible cheekiness is … well… still irrepressible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite his illness, he spoke at the Australian and New Zealand Festival of
Literature and Arts in London on Saturday. His aim, he said, was to impress
Tony Abbott's daughters. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James himself would probably appreciate The <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/clive-james-jokes-about-abbott-and-hitler/story-fn3dxix6-1226938652948">Australian’s</a> report – a report that tells us he appeared “wearing black
trousers, a black skivvy and a brown jacket…an ensemble in pre-war Hitler
colours”, The Australian accompanying their report with a photo of him clearly wearing a
tie.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZmbR03QEsk/U4v9uDrKfaI/AAAAAAAACPQ/ssN4YNbpBr4/s1600/740016-clive-james-jokes-about-abbott-and-hitler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZmbR03QEsk/U4v9uDrKfaI/AAAAAAAACPQ/ssN4YNbpBr4/s1600/740016-clive-james-jokes-about-abbott-and-hitler.jpg" /></a></div>
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His TV show brought us things like this snippet from 1987,
long before the internet could share them with the entire world in a matter of
hours. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIMPxfsa2gE/U4v-ZTwgHpI/AAAAAAAACPg/lQwYzfaOXFQ/s1600/knackers+crackers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIMPxfsa2gE/U4v-ZTwgHpI/AAAAAAAACPg/lQwYzfaOXFQ/s1600/knackers+crackers.png" /></a></div>
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One thing people will still be denied when they see things like a picture of Knackers Crackers is his unique commentary… no one is a
better exponent of the art of alliteration, a better purveyor of puns, or has
a better sense of the absurd.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Clive James on
Television</i> was reality TV at its best. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James is a multilingual lover of all things Japanese; amongst other things, he says, the Japanese are great lovers of puns. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No
episode of <i>Clive James on Television</i> was
complete without snippets of the Japanese TV show <i>Endurance</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Here, contestants found themselves in a hot hunk of desert near
the Nile, leaning against sheets of metal that had been baking in the sun…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp4DU8aggbQ/U4v-Y-95uvI/AAAAAAAACPk/7WJLsgmtVE0/s1600/desert.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp4DU8aggbQ/U4v-Y-95uvI/AAAAAAAACPk/7WJLsgmtVE0/s1600/desert.png" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
… encouraged to stay upright by the careful placement of
cacti.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBNS1oaHmlc/U4v-xs5KDHI/AAAAAAAACPw/kI8rRksE9eo/s1600/cacti.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBNS1oaHmlc/U4v-xs5KDHI/AAAAAAAACPw/kI8rRksE9eo/s1600/cacti.png" /></a></div>
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<o:p>The idiotic challenges issued during <i>Endurance</i> were unbelievably over-the-top, sometimes to the point of cruelty that <i>could</i> have made one cringe – but didn’t because contestants were free to give up. Perhaps it was contestants’ willingness to “stick at it” just made the silliness funnier.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James is a prodigious author, and although his droll
wit permeates his writings I must
confess I never managed to finish <i>Unreliable Memoirs</i>, nor did I ever bother to try
any other books he has written. Perhaps it was because his mobile eyebrows and bemused
smile were missing from the word picture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just as well Clive prefers Tony Abbott’s daughters to Tony
himself, because I’m sure the humour would be wasted on our Minister for women’s
affairs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-86271973835260376742014-05-30T02:32:00.000+10:002014-05-30T15:32:00.708+10:00it’s not working<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tony Abbott keeps telling young people and other benefit
recipients to get a job. If they have to, he says, they should move to where jobs <i>are</i> available.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nowhere in the constitution does it say the government is
responsible for creating jobs, but as parties and their campaigns are all about the economy, job creation, subsidising corporations
and more, there is an implied contract for governments to act in a way that <i>will </i>create jobs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Why creating jobs is a <i>Federal </i>responsibility:</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wikipedia describes the process by which the federal
government, during WWII, took control of and centralised income tax collection
[and, indirectly, the power to create jobs].<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
Prior to 1942, consistent with
the concurrent power in s51(ii), the states collected income tax. The
Commonwealth also levied tax. However, in 1942 the Commonwealth attempted to
gain a monopoly on income taxes by passing the <i>Income Tax Act 1942</i> and the <i>States
Grants (Income Tax Reimbursement) Act 1942</i>. The first act purported to
impose Commonwealth income tax. The latter act said Commonwealth funding would
be provided to the States only if they imposed no income tax. This latter act
was premised on Section 96 of the Australian Constitution Act.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How taxes collected are shared amongst states is covered by
Section 96 of the Australian Constitution :<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i>… the Parliament may grant financial assistance to any State on such
terms and conditions as the Parliament thinks fit…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Section 96 was originally designed [at federation] to explain
how the Commonwealth should distribute surpluses from <i>other</i> money [NOT income tax] collected. Like many parts of the constitution, Section 96 became a loophole used to centralise power in a way that was never intended.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Designed to govern a world
where camel, horse or ship were the main forms of transport, and communication was
reliant on the postal and telegraph system, our constitution now gives the federal government enormous power over policy decisions, but still "says" states are responsible for primary and secondary education. Secondary education, of course, includes the TAFE system [which now offers some bachelor degrees.]<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
State governments are financially at the mercy of the federal government. I hold the federal government’s constant interference [thru section 96] in state affairs to blame for a great deal of this mess. While people - real humans - struggle, the federal and state governments both duck responsibility by blaming each other.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The federal government has the power and an obligation to help create jobs, but doesn't give a damn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
---------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Why people are sometimes unemployed for extended periods:</b><br />
<br />
Tony Abbott not only rabbits on about young people [and others] getting a job, but he insists if there are no jobs where people live, people should move.<br />
<br />
- He ignores the fact that there are more people looking for jobs than there are jobs available - anywhere.<br />
<br />
- He ignores the fact that de-regulation of the economy has increased the casualisation of labour, which does not provide any guarantee of a regular income on which one can base a household budget.<br />
<br />
- He ignores the fact that full-time work has been replaced by part-time work – again, not necessarily a liveable amount. If someone hops from job to job trying to get better, more reliable work, it just makes them appear unstable or unreliable to potential employers.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What governments are really doing about creating jobs:</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unsurprisingly, most of the announcements governments make about how many jobs they have created are jobs relating to building and infrastructure. They are inherently temporary, and limited in the range of jobs and training opportunities they offer. Companies taking on these contracts are, in the main, simply moving current employees from a completed job to one that is about to commence. One might argue they do not actually <i>create </i>jobs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unsurprisingly, governments are as happy to move jobs offshore as private enterprise is, or to award contracts to overseas companies. They not only fail to create jobs, but actively reduce the number of Australian jobs through their policy decisions.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Job-seeking support is sub-contracted to organisations of the type that made Therese Rein a multi-millionaire – a brilliant example of the benefits of privatisation [not]. <o:p></o:p>There is a $100 training cap in these organisations for <i>short</i> term unemployed – but how many food handling certificates does one person need? </div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Why moving to find a job is a big ask:</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Australia’s population density – even in densely populated
areas – is so low we have dug ourselves into a black hole. This worsens every
time decisions are made that ignore public transport requirements, making cars
increasingly essential to people movement. Our culture and our
governments increasingly limit the free movement of the business resource
called “people”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On $400 or $500 dollars a fortnight who can afford to fly interstate on the off chance they might succeed at a job interview? Who can afford thousands of dollars to get the qualifications required to change industries as technology or job requirements change? What should people live on while studying if they have a family and a mortgage to support?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In an economy almost totally reliant on people striving for
home ownership it’s both absurd and obscene to suggest people should move in
order to get a job.<br />
<br />
A lot of people have mortgages and are rational enough to
know the financial penalties of moving far exceed the financial rewards of
working somewhere else [assuming jobs are available somewhere else].</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stamp duties payable on house purchases are enormously punitive.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those who do <i>not</i> already have a
mortgage, it is exceedingly difficult to find rental accommodation, which is exactly what youngsters must do if they leave home to follow work. Rental accommodation
is in short supply; [Negative gearing in the housing market / sales to overseas residents must go.] The costs
of renting are prohibitive, and someone without a stable income and work history
simply can’t compete with other applicants. Catch 22; if you already have a job it's easier to move, but if you don't have a job moving is almost impossible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The days when it was easy to find a place to board, or to find short term
accommodation in a hostel or boarding house are long gone. Over-regulation has
destroyed many of these things we could once rely on if we needed to relocate. Caravan park cabins are incredibly expensive, even for long term tenants.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interestingly, a best selling American "pursuit of happiness" book, <i>Rich Dad Poor Dad</i>, blurts on about going without now in order to have more later. Just one of the things the author Robert Kiyosaki did to get started on his way to riches was to live in his car for about a year. Try doing that in Australia without being punished.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
[BTW Robert Kiyosaki filed for bankruptcy in 2012].</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this point it would be reasonable to ask if 457 workers are able to relocate to find work, why can't Australians?<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In many cases, 457 workers [the ones who are not exploited]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- have family contacts and can thus find/ afford accommodation; or</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
- have reasonable accommodation arranged by desperate employers </div>
<br />
One dollar earned here is worth a lot more in a third world country than it is in Australia.<br />
An Australian stuck with enormous mortgage or rent obligations, has to support a family living <i>here, </i>paying Australian prices.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-----------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To paraphrase a cliché, one person’s problems might be cause
for concern, but the plight of thousands becomes a mere statistic. Perhaps it should be mandatory for governments to refer to “people”
as “human beings”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-----------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>457 visas</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
457 visas have become a rather big issue. In some cases it
would be fair to say there are jobs Australians simply won’t [or would prefer
not to] do. Our bad. Or, in many instances, they are jobs we simply can't do. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A 457 worker often makes enormous emotional sacrifices
in terms of leaving family to come here, and might also incur a huge debt getting started.
Incurring this debt usually requires two conditions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">the first is the certainty that the debt can be
paid off by working here [not always the case],and</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">the second is the availability of a loan [not
always the case either in Australia or in another country].</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On balance, are 457 workers doing Australians out of a
job?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anecdotes are not necessarily proof of anything but
sometimes they are all I have to go on. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A disproportionate number of people writing to The Hun complain 457 workers are replacing Australians who have incurred enormous debts to get a Nursing Degree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is actually true to some extent, which begs the question of
why?<br />
<br />
<b>Qualifications and 457 workers</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Australian Universities and TAFES are increasingly reliant on fees to
survive. Some managers/ educators will give anyone a pass rather than lose the
fees. Would we rather be treated in a hospital by a non-resident who knows what they are
doing or an Australian who is “qualified” but utterly clueless?<br />
<u>It's the employers, not the education system, who ultimately assess a student's knowledge and capabilities.</u><br />
<br />
Not all employers are seeking to exploit cheap and compliant labour. Certainly, hospital managements have a duty of care to their patients.<br />
It's not unknown for hospitals to short-list applicants and find that <i>none </i>of those they interview are up to scratch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>On the employment of locally qualified nurses in particular</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some time ago, TO was sent an end-of-second-year nursing student for
a practical placement. The young lady was an Australian citizen, and devoutly
Muslim.<br />
Every assumption she had started with about nursing made the
possibility of her becoming a nurse improbable.<br />
Who, amongst her educators, should have recognised this, and how did she get so far into a degree before someone
addressed the issue?<o:p></o:p><br />
Either the quality of education [about sterile conditions etc] this lass had received thus far was lacking, or someone was very focused on fees and didn't give a damn about the student. [More anecdotes about <i>this</i> issue available on request.]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This lass assumed she could work on a female only ward.
Wards in Australia are all mixed gender. <br />
She assumed she could wear a hijab,
complete with attractive tassels while nursing – after all, we have laws
against discrimination. [TO adjusted her hours to accommodate prayer times, but had
to insist the hijab and long sleeves disappear during work hours.] </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TO <i>was </i>able to address the student’s problem by
quietly discussing the expectations of her parents and Imam. TO discussed precocious puberty and the fact that a children’s hospital would not
necessarily be “safer” than a hospital which dealt with adults. She discussed
the ways in which [good] nurses respect the rights of patients to maintain
their dignity and modesty – and that this can be a two-way street. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miraculously, TO was also able to place the student with a Muslim preceptor on a mixed
ward, and the preceptor was able to discuss the student's religious concerns in an informed way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before she finished her placement, the young lady had actually
relaxed her expectations enough to remove a catheter from an adult male.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Full marks to her, and her parents, for being
adaptable. It was also a good thing she was actually intelligent enough to know and
apply what she had been taught. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, she wasn’t a 457 worker, but she might have been
replaced by one had she not received help addressing her expectations. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-----------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>Some suggestions for creating employment and reducing welfare payments:</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. give the states enough money /conditional grants to address the backlog of people waiting for "elective" surgery. Four years waiting for a hip replacement is four years on benefits.<br />
<br />
2. demand the states / tertiary institutions lift their game<br />
<br />
3. Look more closely at the flow-on effects of ignoring health care and poor education systems;<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Those unemployed after incurring HELP debts are not putting money back into the system</li>
<li>Sick people do not pay taxes</li>
<li>Job support providers are wasting money, trying to funnel people into markets where no decent jobs exist - many people would improve their job prospects if bridging courses were available to upgrade their skills. Instead, many are enrolling in bachelor courses and incurring HELP debts they'll never be able to repay - because no support is offered for private training such as Microsoft upgrades, or using dedicated software packages commonly used by potential employers, [e.g. payroll, warehouse management]</li>
<li>Some courses are not keeping pace with change - IT people, for example, find their skills obsolete before they graduate</li>
<li>Temporary employer-subsidies create temporary jobs</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
-----------------------<br />
<br />
An enormous number of parliamentarians have either lost
touch with, or never been acquainted with, the reality of the human beings they
claim to lead.<br />
<br />
The demonisation of the unemployed is a cheap, vicious way to
duck responsibility for creating jobs, and/or improving the education system.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.S. : Tony Abbott is a winker.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-89467095983204431032014-05-27T17:36:00.001+10:002014-05-27T17:39:40.326+10:00and now for toaday’s news<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="280" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oBBv4zJu-n0" width="448"></iframe>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Let it be known that
sometimes, just sometimes, fruitcake brings timely news <i>on</i> time. Yes, friends,<a href="http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/seven-live-cane-toads-hitchhike-to-perth-on-toll-express-truck/story-fnhocxo3-1226932987949"> here’s</a> a news item dated 27<sup>th</sup> May
2014! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">No less than seven cane toads managed to hitch
a ride from Kununurra to Perth*. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AsLRAgXzfmI/U4Q8AD2y5ZI/AAAAAAAACOU/kAZC9TYOxWw/s1600/987897-2cc69d74-e544-11e3-addf-ef174a6b8f2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AsLRAgXzfmI/U4Q8AD2y5ZI/AAAAAAAACOU/kAZC9TYOxWw/s1600/987897-2cc69d74-e544-11e3-addf-ef174a6b8f2d.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Perth Now News</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Most of us know the cane toad
as </span><i style="font-size: 9pt;">bufo marinus</i><span style="font-size: 9pt;">, but don’t say that
if you Wants to be a Millionaire: the cane toad is now officially </span><i style="font-size: 9pt;">rhinella marina.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Briefly, these little – the largest
<i>recorded</i> specimen </span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">weighed 2.65 kg (5.84 lb) and measured 38 cm (15 in) from snout to vent –
buggers are taking over Australia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oOc-NrxEbyk/U4Q8mGP6XpI/AAAAAAAACOc/TExuDg9bJok/s1600/577972-frog-opera-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oOc-NrxEbyk/U4Q8mGP6XpI/AAAAAAAACOc/TExuDg9bJok/s1600/577972-frog-opera-house.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZNAFITHuBk/U4Q8mSM5MtI/AAAAAAAACOg/UsSzIrEcXyA/s1600/cane-toad-fs-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZNAFITHuBk/U4Q8mSM5MtI/AAAAAAAACOg/UsSzIrEcXyA/s1600/cane-toad-fs-map.jpg" height="315" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian distribution of the cane toad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We imported some in 1935 from Hawaii to fight a
grub that was destroying our sugar grain crops. Naturally, they were useless because the beetle producing the grubs likes to sit high up on the cane where even cane
toads could not reach them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">In 1988 Mark Lewis made a doco
called <i>Cane Toads: An Unnatural History</i> which quickly developed a cult
following. If you’ve nothing better to do with 50 minutes, you can watch it
starting <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mvV8OT-mmE">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">I had missed the cult doco first time
around but now realise the best thing about it, I’m embarrassed to
admit, is the cast – oh, and there are a few amusing digs at Joh** as well. Then
there’s the bit where… oh, you would probably have to see it yourself to really appreciate it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VvXQ8-Y0DU0/U4Q-PbynEOI/AAAAAAAACOw/BdYsRvQnYYA/s1600/Bufo_marinus_distribution.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VvXQ8-Y0DU0/U4Q-PbynEOI/AAAAAAAACOw/BdYsRvQnYYA/s1600/Bufo_marinus_distribution.png" height="148" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The toad is native to areas shown in blue on
the map above, while red marks show places they have been introduced; nowhere as “successfully”
as Australia - if you were to ask a toad. <br />There had never been any reason for
Australia’s native fauna to adapt to the toad and its toxin, so the beastie is
wreaking enormous devastation on our wildlife and ecosystems.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If you can’t beat them, love them… right? Why
not visit the <a href="http://rednomadoz.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/i-was-cane-toad-race-virgin-kununurra.html#.U4Q11PmSx8E">cane toad races at Kununurra</a> with Our favourite Australian travel
reporter, the intrepid Red Nomad Oz?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Wikipedia tells us the toad can be
useful for lots of things, including<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">… pregnancy testing,</span><span style="color: #0b0080; font-size: xx-small;"><u> </u></span><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">as
pets, for</span></span><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> laboratory
research,</span></span><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> and
the production of leather </span></span><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">goods.</span></span><sup><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></sup><br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_3oXtD9Vrc/U4Q_RhdF43I/AAAAAAAACO8/ouwU67aah_o/s1600/Cane+Toad+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_3oXtD9Vrc/U4Q_RhdF43I/AAAAAAAACO8/ouwU67aah_o/s1600/Cane+Toad+1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<u><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></u>
<u><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NoZ-435-Rck/U4Q_RQPEiiI/AAAAAAAACPA/pY2971tQyu4/s1600/330806-hit-toads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NoZ-435-Rck/U4Q_RQPEiiI/AAAAAAAACPA/pY2971tQyu4/s1600/330806-hit-toads.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<u><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></u>
<u><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></u>
<u><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></u>
<u><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">*For visitors:</span></u><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"> To get some idea of the distance from Kununurra to
Perth, when you look at the Australian distribution map above, just remember Mainland Australia is only a smidgin smaller than the
lower 48 states of the U.S.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">**Joh Bjelke Petersen was Premier of the state of Queensland
from 1968 to 1987. To many people NOT living in the north-eastern Australian
state of Queensland, he was an ultra-conservative, corrupt, racist weirdo </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">– always good for a laugh [if you are white]</span><span style="font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">. Because
of his policies and style, Queensland was long known as “the deep north”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">His predictable answer to any
difficult question was “Oh, well, by golly, don’t you worry about that!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">In his other life, Joh was
also a peanut farmer. When a political storm raged about a poison known as 245T, some wit
wrote that he didn’t know what all the fuss was about… “Joh’s been spraying his
nuts with 245T for years, and there’s obviously nothing wrong with <i>him</i>…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-82897106309856841452014-05-26T15:39:00.003+10:002014-05-26T15:39:55.190+10:00woe, woe and thrice woe<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
'Tis said if we wish to converse without tension, we must
avoid three topics: sex, politics and religion. Sometimes I wonder if these
topics are not, like the Holy Trinity itself, three in one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday I got to chatting with friends about the God part,
and the Catholic Church.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the early years of my extremely Catholic education I was
warned that God sees everything we do. It might explain the idea of nuns being
extremely modest when they take a bath. My <i>own</i>
early reaction was that if God is really watching when I go to the toilet, I should
be nervously constipated for the rest of my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another notion, perhaps originally designed to convince
medieval believers that it doesn’t matter how crap life on earth might be, concerned
the promise of heaven. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The more we suffer in this life the better our position in
the afterlife. We might, the good sisters explained in age-appropriate
simplistic terms, imagine our own personal guardian angel sitting on our right
shoulder recording ticks and crosses in an exercise book every time we are good
or bad. <br />
Each tick for a good act is a brick that can be used to build a decent home in
advance of our arrival at the Pearly Gates, while too many sins might mean you
could end up in a heavenly dump like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQIxa_X3lZM/U4LO1JkVIFI/AAAAAAAACMg/qdugT7OM2DE/s1600/PeterManning5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQIxa_X3lZM/U4LO1JkVIFI/AAAAAAAACMg/qdugT7OM2DE/s1600/PeterManning5.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my early years I would have killed to live in a relatively [to me] luxurious prolestacker. Bugger waiting for the next life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ykkcSqpe8QY/U4LPCsvUP0I/AAAAAAAACMo/ed3P2Ce-0JQ/s1600/450px-Wellington_Street_HC_High_Rise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ykkcSqpe8QY/U4LPCsvUP0I/AAAAAAAACMo/ed3P2Ce-0JQ/s1600/450px-Wellington_Street_HC_High_Rise.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The just-you-wait idea was not some British propaganda encouraging the Irish to
accept being treated like shit in this life; </div>
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it came from God himself [via some
pope, of course. Probably some power hungry corrupt bastard but infallible pope,
of course].<o:p></o:p></div>
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What British propaganda did suggest is that the Irish were a stupid race - a notion contradicted by this image:</div>
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Belief and therefore Prayer were a struggle for me. One of
my favourite [if sacrilegious] turns at a party is to recite this [in a
suitable dramatic and pleading tone, of course]:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope. <b>To thee do we cry, poor banished children of
Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of
tears.</b> Turn then most gracious advocate thine eyes of mercy towards us
and, <b>after
this, our exile,</b> show unto us the blessed Fruit of they womb, Jesus.</i><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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It is a nonsense, really, to try and separate culture from
religion. Some of the most popular and best selling Irish stories in recent
times, like <i>Angela’s Ashes</i>, have been
full of misery. They are not stories about god’s admonition to wait for the afterlife; they are
stories reflecting the reality that Ireland was a third world country – full of
desperately dysfunctional people, before the country was accepted into the EU.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Does this miserable level of poverty explain the drunkenness
and domestic violence? <br />I have a theory that the whole of the country
[religion and culture combined] is populated by people with a bipolar disorder.
<br />
I’m not sure I believe bipolar disorders are biologically genetic, but think they are the transgenerational result of the brain’s plasticity – the way individuals program themselves to
cope with the shit that is/was almost invariably a part of any poor childhood in
Ireland. It’s self-programming for survival that lends itself to alcoholism, rage, and a victim
mentality.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Italy on the hand is a “Catholic” country, and one which
still has pockets of extreme poverty. Yet it has produced beautiful, life
affirming films like <i>The Tree of Wooden
Clogs</i>, and <i>Life is Beautiful</i>. The
Italian mix of culture and religion is a far cry from the Irish Catholicism passed
on to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Having been indoctrinated enough with the miserable attitudes of Irish Catholicism, I’ve
learned the last thing I need to read is another <i>Angela’s Ashes</i>, and the last thing I need to hear is more about the
disgusting theft and abuse of children supported by what is now loosely termed
the Magdalene Laundry system. [To which I might add Rome is welcome to Cardinal
Pell because nobody here seems to want him at all.]<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nonetheless, one shares one’s life with others and sometimes
watches films like <i>Philomena</i>. The
book written by Martin Sixmith focuses primarily on the life of Philomena Lee’s
stolen child, Anthony. The movie <i>Philomena</i>,
on the other hand, focuses on Philomena’s search for her son, and what a pack
of C-bombs the Irish nuns/ Church were. The key theme of the movie seems to be
forgiven-ness. <br /></div>
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It’s an ask.<o:p></o:p></div>
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------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
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For some reason that escapes me, pilgrimages are still a core component of the
Irish tourist industry. Shrines are everywhere, but one of the greatest
drawcards for locals and visitors alike is the challenge of dragging oneself <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">764 metres (2,507 ft)<span class="apple-converted-space"> up the mountain that is</span></span> Croagh Patrick.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nearly 200 years ago this might have made sense:</div>
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Today, I fail to see the point at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-2773155437644513192014-05-25T23:56:00.000+10:002014-05-25T23:56:41.570+10:00the sound of silence<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CG2l186hccU/U4HzmBBEo-I/AAAAAAAACMM/4UdKvY1B8IU/s1600/art-andrewBolt-420x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CG2l186hccU/U4HzmBBEo-I/AAAAAAAACMM/4UdKvY1B8IU/s1600/art-andrewBolt-420x0.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew Bolt<br />
amongst other things, a Holocaust Denier</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRXqVApPsZ0/U4H0Gl40nMI/AAAAAAAACMQ/IhsrybGR3xE/s1600/waleed-aly-large4x3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRXqVApPsZ0/U4H0Gl40nMI/AAAAAAAACMQ/IhsrybGR3xE/s1600/waleed-aly-large4x3.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waleed Aly</td></tr>
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Currently, Andrew Bolt* is criticising Waleed Aly , not for
defending Islam but for failing to hold Islam responsible for every crime ever
carried out in the name of Allah. This is about as logical as blaming the Pope
for the Snake Handling traditions of Appalachian Pentecostals. <o:p></o:p></div>
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No disrespect <i>intended</i>,
but Ruby’s comment at 20-22 seconds in cracks me up every time I hear it:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like Christians, Muslims are a diverse bunch. How
can we turn to one single person/group in Australia for for a view that will be representative
of the whole Muslim community? Why should we expect we can?<o:p></o:p></div>
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If an issue directly affects one branch of Christianity,
e.g. the Catholic Church, the media traditionally go to a spokesperson for that
Church for comments, thus providing consumers with balanced reporting. When George
Pell, amongst others, said that talk of paedophiles in the Catholic church was nonsense, the theory is we had a better chance of assessing the truth because he had been asked to comment. [Rather than bore you with
details, I’ll leave you to add to the list of
ir-responsible denominations] – but I digress:<o:p></o:p></div>
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What I’m simply trying to say is that it is a very long time
since I read/heard a line like “The Hun contacted a spokesperson for the
Islamic community, but he/she declined to comment”. <br />
<br />
In truth, most journalists do turn to Waleed Aly for a <i>moderate </i>Islamic viewpoint – but usually only when a story relates
to <i>terrorism</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rita Panahi is a Hun columnist, slightly to the left of
Andrew Bolt. Like Bolt, she happily resorts to the “silence is deafening”
mantra when something arouses her indignation.</div>
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<span style="background: rgb(245, 245, 245);">She opines:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: rgb(245, 245, 245);">“THE violent student protests around the country
have highlighted not just the entitled mentality of those protesting but also
the duplicitous hypocrisy of the feminist movement.</span>”… […blah blah blah
deafening…]<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Excuse me, but did I miss something? Feminists are
responsible for this? <br />
Personally, I think a lot of protestors underestimate [or are ignorant of] the
power of non-violent non-cooperation, and their behaviour simply proves they
are downright rude arseholes. But their behaviour does not automatically make
them feminists.<o:p></o:p><br />
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As for the sound of silence generally, the only way I’ve ever been able
to get anything published in the Hun is to pay for a funeral notice – and this
is way more consultation than I get from any other branches of the media. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*For more juicy detail of the latest Bolt/Aly clash, see Raf
Epstein’s reply<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/we-cannot-afford-to-confuse-ridiculous-with-reasonable/story-fni0ffsx-1226923183795</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-58277518178203602002014-05-25T01:05:00.004+10:002014-05-25T01:29:54.822+10:00a topp idea<br />
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“Would you like to go and see the Topp Twins?” asked TO.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Errrm…” sez I, “If <i>you’d</i>
like to go…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Haven’t you ever seen them?!” TO was incredulous.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Topp Twins – two identical lesbian twins from New
Zealand - have been performing around the traps for more than 36 years. Their
highly successful TV series ran in NZ for 3 series, and they’ve won a swag of
awards. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’d never seen them before because, to be honest, I was over
the whole “lesbian” entertainment thing decades ago and found images like this even more off-putting than the lesbian tag:<o:p></o:p></div>
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If I had to nominate two types of music I struggle to
tolerate, I would have to say “country”, and “western”. But, even matches made
in heaven sometimes require compromise and the Topp Twins sounded more
appealing than the alternative - a night of “Sing-a-long to the Sound of Music”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The twins are polished comics and polished musicians. Yodelling
is not easy but, by gum, Linda has got what it takes. Better yet, Linda played a
mean harmonica which she demonstrated during a fantastic blues number.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They appeared as several different characters during the
show, and worked the crowd brilliantly. For the first time in my life I didn’t
cringe when it was audience participation time, but happily stood up and joined
in. Funny is one thing – fun is quite another altogether and the twins do it well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As “Camp Leader” and “Camp Mother” they set a few audience
members busy making rum-balls which they then shared around.<br />
“Where are you
from?”. When people gave answers like Hong Kong or Southern California, they
were expertly thrown a rum ball. When someone finally said Australia they “threw”
them a rum-ball Trevor Chappell style. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<i>For overseas guests:</i><br />
The "great underarm bowling incident of 1981" was a shameful day for Australian Sport. Instead of bowling overarm as cricketers normally do, they resorted to this to defeat New Zealand:</div>
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Yep, the Topp Twins are political animals. Although they
shared some lesbian jokes it wasn’t a lesbian show at all. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWhsBofsfNY/U4Cy_yYPmvI/AAAAAAAACLo/aZzDTB0rCTQ/s1600/140923-tony-abbott-speedos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aWhsBofsfNY/U4Cy_yYPmvI/AAAAAAAACLo/aZzDTB0rCTQ/s1600/140923-tony-abbott-speedos.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony Abbott<br />
Australia's Prime Minister and Minister for Women</td></tr>
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Another great Australian sport is hanging shit on the
way Kiwis [i.e. New Zealanders] love to strangle vowels; their
efforts to say our Prime Minister Tony Abbott is a speedo wearing <i>winker </i>were well received.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<br />
TO’s suggestion for our day out was indeed a Topp one.<o:p></o:p><br />
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-73692467516710918682014-05-22T01:55:00.002+10:002014-05-22T01:55:46.425+10:00nausea inducing<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tT-Z9yzyHFo" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Q_e-jL92ahI" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Call me a bitch, please. Like, as if I would feel bad being bitchy about this creep - such fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Brynne has kept custody of the apartment. [shock horror]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Edelsten, last I heard, was suing some bimbo who conned him out of money after he got together with her through a USian dating site. Now he is filing for bankruptcy in the US.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Doesn't the bald patch on the back of his head look suspiciously like "bed-head"?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The nuns used to warn me that men are only after one thing... In Geoffrey's case, surely that should be two things? He should just buy a couple of implants and keep them on his bedside table; it would have to be cheaper than legal fees for pre-nups, legal fees for website bimbos, divorce settlements etc.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">WTF was Edelsten doing at Tom Hafey's funeral anyway? This 'man' would go to the opening of a fridge to get seen. I'd say Grecko would go to the opening of an envelope, but would she even know what an envelope is?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These two - people, I mean, not implants - are just proof positive that celebrity for celebrity's sake is a bizarre phenomenon. </span><br />
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<br />
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<br />FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-29477693838166766482014-05-18T23:07:00.000+10:002014-05-18T23:09:16.548+10:00the book thief<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SYNOPSIS:<br />
In 1939 Nazi Germany, Liesel Meninger is sent to Molching to live with a foster
family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While there is something to be said for USian detective
stories, what people usually think of as “novels” are not really my cappuccino.
<i>The Book Thief</i> was a rare but
wonderful exception; so exceptional, in fact, that I was surprised to learn it
was written by an Australian.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skdSbR_OotI/U3iufA4RCuI/AAAAAAAACLQ/k0w_3t-p5x8/s1600/movies-the-book-thief-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-skdSbR_OotI/U3iufA4RCuI/AAAAAAAACLQ/k0w_3t-p5x8/s1600/movies-the-book-thief-poster.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When a film is made from a novel, I prefer to read the novel
first. Seeing a movie before reading the novel can kill the imagination - when we read the
novel later all we can picture from descriptions is what the movie maker
imagined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The Book Thief</i> is
a masterful piece of writing I devoured gluttonously, before re-reading it to fully
appreciate the writing style. <br />Seeing the movie is stage three in the order of
events, when for me the fun is looking at how the book has been adapted, what has been
omitted, and whether or not what I thought the novel was saying has been
faithfully represented. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Markus Zusak not only respects the principle of “show, don’t
tell”, one interesting way he does this is by turning nouns and verbs on their
head:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Every night, Liesel would nightmare.<br />
A bathrobe answered the door.<br />
Arms and elbows fought for room.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When he doesn’t “show” Markus often includes a little
observation in the direct telling:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the ration cards of Germany there was no listing for punishment, but
everyone had to take their turn.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Someone suggested to me recently that what happened in the
book was all covered in the movie. I doubted it and, dare I say it, I was
right. <br />
Cramming a decent novel into roughly 90 minutes of film is a challenge. Some
sub-plots have to be dropped, which can reduce 3 dimensional characters into 2
or even 1 dimensional props. It was a bit sad that this happened to the
Burgermeister’s Wife. It even happened, to some extent, to Max, one of the
central characters in the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/92EBSmxinus" width="560"></iframe>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the movie, much
of the story is about one family rebelling against the insanity of Nazi Germany:
It makes Hans and Rosa Hubermann, along with Liesel, appear heroic in a David
and Goliath sort of way – something movies must often do to establish and
maintain any kind of momentum. In real life, however, when a whole bunch of
people are Davids together, no one person appears quite so heroic.<br />Zusak’s
novel, with the luxury of as much space and time as needed, not only showed
that there are more heroes in a community than we might otherwise believe, but
that everyone has their own unique way of being a hero. It's this sense of balance, of not taking sides and of shifting away from stereotypes that doesn't quite come across in the movie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Markus Zusak has said, about writing The Book Thief;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 36pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I was growing up in suburban Sydney, I was told stories of cities on fire and Jews being marched to concentration camps. Both my parents grew up in Europe during World War II, and although they were extremely young at the time, in hindsight, they were able to understand many things.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt 36pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two stories my mother told me about growing up in Munich always stuck with me. One was about a burning sky when the city was bombed. The other was about a boy being whipped on the street for giving a starving Jewish man a piece of bread. The man sank to his knees and thanked the boy, but the bread was stripped away and both the taker of the bread and the giver were punished.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This showed me that there was another side to Nazi Germany, and it was a side I wanted to write about.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The direction of
the movie was at times clever and imaginative. It was well cast, with Nico
Liersch doing a brilliant job of playing Rudy. The ending
was faithful to the novel but in a very schmaltzy, clunky way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The uniting theme of the novel is about the unique and different significance a book theft might have for any number of different people. There are one or two hints about this significance in the movie</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> but, in the end, it is just a story about a girl who steals books. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's not the sort of movie I would enjoy watching over and over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-91027856282877704872014-05-18T02:31:00.005+10:002014-05-18T12:29:00.241+10:00for every cloud...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“The” garage sale is over. Two weeks digging crap out of the
shed, hours “setting up”, then hours unsetting up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--JbP0nVs4yY/U3eOba2q_2I/AAAAAAAACKo/tTij5wnl_XY/s1600/uglyneighbor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--JbP0nVs4yY/U3eOba2q_2I/AAAAAAAACKo/tTij5wnl_XY/s1600/uglyneighbor.gif" height="320" width="290" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mr Nice next door decided to make the most of the traffic, and put
half a dozen items out for sale. Told us he was just nipping out to put on his
quaddies, but Mrs Nice knew prices. “How much is the guitar?”, a prospect
enquired over the fence. “Shop, Mrs Jackson” we screamed back across the fence.
Mrs Nice sold No 1 daughter’s old bass guitar and amp for $50. Uh oh, it was
supposed to be $100 for the bass plus $100 for the amp. No 1 will not be
pleased when she returns from her holiday in Thailand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The end result on our side of the fence was a reduction of
1% in the volume of crap but, as Mr Nice observed “at least you
made enough to hire a skip – a better profit than I made…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh, people are a strange mix. The ones what arrive with a
big bag and proceed to lift as much crap as they can without paying. The ones
who keep a firm grip on a 40 cent book while trying to beat the price down to 20c. The ones
who say “Oh, a dollar is not enough, I’ll give you two!” The bulldozers, who
tear the original packaging on every single item still in its original packing
but never actually buy anything.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Then there is another type – the <i>real</i>
hoarder… the crap they have collected after doing the rounds of sales would not
make their car look out of place in an episode of Extreme Hoarders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The ones that turn up at all hours, two or three days
beforehand, trying to find the gold before anyone else does. [Someone did
suggest, today, that the trick is to give the name of the street but not the
house number in the ad. Duly noted.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After stall fees, I once made a $2 profit selling "stuff" at the Preston
Market. While living in Camberwell for a while, however, I was able to make a living for
6 months from the market there – my lounge room/ temporary warehouse looked like a tornado had ripped through it, but at least the venture paid for rent and food. <br />Franger
seems to offer the people watcher in me something, but it brings out the “I
hate mean, scabby people” side of me as well. I was not alone in this - at one point I thought Mr Nice
was about to smash an acoustic guitar to pieces in front of someone who was
determined not to leave until his offer of $2 was accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where might PC keyboards and mouses and power cords or old
phone chargers go? <br />4 tonnes of reject stainless steel surgical instruments –
once used by TO when teaching TAFE classes about sterilisation procedures?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Op shops are, quite reasonably, picky about what they will
help us recycle. I refuse to give good junk to the Salvos or Vinnies because, in my experience, they refuse to give any stock to someone who obviously needs it. Paid staff and volunteers pick the eyes out of stuff before it is put out for sale, and are unafraid to brag about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m thinking we’ll separate stuff into 2 piles as we
continue clearing out the shed… 1 pile of stuff the RSPCA could use, and a 2<sup>nd</sup>
pile for a skip. Working for 2c an hour has flies on it [take note, Smokin’
Joe!].<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Any other preferred charity suggestions? [Apart from my good self, that is...]</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q--9vwfBrQo/U3gaITh7VKI/AAAAAAAACK4/nGHrEMiPZH0/s1600/pic6h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q--9vwfBrQo/U3gaITh7VKI/AAAAAAAACK4/nGHrEMiPZH0/s1600/pic6h.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Most councils have annual hard-rubbish collections.<br />I like to see stuff recycled by fossickers, but hate it when they<br />throw stuff around and leave an untidy mess.<br />[Fossicking thru' hard rubbish is illegal.]</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E5AWJftk8yE/U3gaMCh8puI/AAAAAAAACLA/PF41GuRQw-I/s1600/timthumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E5AWJftk8yE/U3gaMCh8puI/AAAAAAAACLA/PF41GuRQw-I/s1600/timthumb.jpg" height="114" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's amazing how much one can fit into a skip.<br />I suspect there would be an extra volume charge for this lot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-70345012210116225212014-05-16T13:52:00.001+10:002014-05-16T13:52:25.297+10:00only for the truly compulsive reader<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over the past few months I've learned something about <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Prescription medications</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The pain
medication Tramadol Hydrochloride reacts negatively with SSRI anti-depressants,
and causes nausea. Although I don’t take SSRIs, I did feel incredibly seedy
when I used Tramadol for the heel pain, but suspect the cause of the seediness
was just the combination of Tramadol and radiation therapy. If I ever use
Tramadol again I will take it in conjunction with an anti-nausea agent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From day one after the foot surgery I tried to use less
and then much less oxycontin or endone than were prescribed, a) because I live
in terror of addiction to anything over and above chocolate and b) pain levels
were gradually diminishing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Every time I visit a new practitioner, I am required to
dutifully complete a form listing all my current medications. Beyond surgeons checking
that people are not taking blood thinners, it seems there is a limited benefit
from the exercise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I guess the reality is that a specialist is a specialist is
a specialist. Bone surgeons know bone surgery, breast surgeons know breast
surgery etc. This does not make them pharmacists. <br />A few years ago I had some
major bowel surgery, and TO says that when she came to visit one day, I was
talking to the wardrobe in my room. Fortunately, she took a peep at my hospital
charts and was able to identify the problem and alert staff. Heaven help those
without a TO to advocate for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I now know <i>not</i> to
touch opioid painkillers again. The shoulder surgeon I have lined up discussed
the medication problem with me and will be talking to the anaesthetist before
surgery. Bone man also discussed the effects of cortisone, so I took myself off
to see the “head” honcho, and I think I have things covered now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Nutty as a Fruitcake</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The few of these opioid tablets I did take were still enough
to make me hypo-manic with mixed moods. A few more doses after that and my Jekyll-ine persona
gave way to Ms Hyde – every person chez fruitcake deserves a purple heart.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlidfVbIRKo/U3WKOu8fo6I/AAAAAAAACKc/8XCAC3gXAH8/s1600/1384117_738077052884884_100137244_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlidfVbIRKo/U3WKOu8fo6I/AAAAAAAACKc/8XCAC3gXAH8/s1600/1384117_738077052884884_100137244_n.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s taken weeks for me to “come down” [at least partway]. Every
time Ms Hyde appears, Dr Jacqueline is full of remorse and shame and takes to
curling into a foetal ball and sobbing – only marginally less pleasant for
others than when I am simply uncontrollably obnoxious and feral.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a few years of being quite stable, and being the
person I’ve conned our dogs into thinking I am, the crash has added to the more
“acceptable” medical issues. Years ago I accepted that each subsequent crash is
worse than the crash before, and it’s very draining [for everyone]. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I could go on, but this is not the proper forum. Just wanted
to make a comment on issues arising from surgical prescriptions.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-20137536240357518292014-05-16T01:49:00.001+10:002014-05-16T01:50:38.651+10:00updates<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A. Fruitcake<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’ve now had procedures and
surgeries enough to single-handedly break both the LaTrobe Health Insurance Fund
<i>and</i> the Pharmaceutical Benefits
Scheme. If you are unhappy with changes to these in the new federal budget, please feel
free to blame me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Radiation therapy is over. <br />
As my risk of breast cancer recurring now is about the same as the risk of
women in the general population getting breast cancer for the first time, I’ve
decided to forego the 5 years of Tamoxifen. I got off lightly, for some reason.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite the cancer, I have not
experienced one of those Pauline Conversions, Epiphanies or whatever people
like to call them. Having flirted [like a wallflower] with cancer and survived
[god that sounds dramatic] I’m not sure I have any more idea of why we are on
this earth or what I ought to do while here than I did before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My right heel is almost back
to normal [without the Achilles pain-yay!]. Just some occasionally whining from
scar tissue. [Still wearing those dreadful pressure stockings].</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The sad news is that what I
thought was a “sprain” in my right shoulder as a result of falling from my
crutches is actually a complete tear of one of the tendons, so more surgery
ahead – it’s dashed inconvenient not being able to reach with the right arm
when the left arm is itchy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F7tPn3EvZxg/U3TXEzyYteI/AAAAAAAACJY/XEMPY6cvTB0/s1600/great-quotes-80-pics_46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F7tPn3EvZxg/U3TXEzyYteI/AAAAAAAACJY/XEMPY6cvTB0/s1600/great-quotes-80-pics_46.jpg" height="278" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">B. Auntie<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Poor Aunty has spent about 75%
of the time between Christmas and now in hospital, what with one thing and
another. Between the three of us we have spent so much time in hospital as visitors/patients we saved a bundle with our coffee loyalty card. But, even in the worst possible settings, there is often something to smile at.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sZeyhnebgCU/U3TZ5btdmtI/AAAAAAAACJg/PfPhR8cK5ec/s1600/dedicated+switch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sZeyhnebgCU/U3TZ5btdmtI/AAAAAAAACJg/PfPhR8cK5ec/s1600/dedicated+switch.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At last, Auntie's [second] new pacemaker is ticking away nicely. She gets a bit stronger every day.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">C. JJ <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">JJ is chugging along with her
Div 2 nursing course. She has passed the Occupational English test that will
qualify her to do a Div 1 bridging course, but has decided for now to keep on
with the Div 2 course. She's making the most of the chance to become familiar with the expensive equipment our hospitals have, or to learn the local names for various medications.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When JJ first arrived, TO shared a story about the international student who was on a placement in a cardiac wing. "I have pain", cried a patient. While the student rushed off to fetch a <i>pan</i>, her mentor dealt with the heart attack. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vowel sounds can be tricky for people from non-English speaking backgrounds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Recently JJ came home from her part-time nursing home job, laughing because one of her fellow workers went to the kitchen and said a resident did not get her prawns. "Why would we give people prawns for breakfast?" asked the chef. JJ guessed there was a vowel problem, and was able to work out the resident really wanted <i>prunes</i>.<br /><br />
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well…. it’s only a matter of time before she has her driving licence. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WeDcoAzmrMQ/U3ThZ9B8a0I/AAAAAAAACKI/esTMy5ejTes/s1600/6a00d8341d417153ef014e895ed726970d-800wi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WeDcoAzmrMQ/U3ThZ9B8a0I/AAAAAAAACKI/esTMy5ejTes/s1600/6a00d8341d417153ef014e895ed726970d-800wi.png" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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Go JJ!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f5496;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">D. The wonderful TO.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What can you say about someone
who has spent her entire life caring for others but, this year, found a little
too much happening a little too close to home? [Between the lines… she learned
that not being able to control <i>everything</i>
can be stressful].<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The good news is that she has
finally got a teaching contract that matches her own preferred timeframe for easing
into retirement this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next: Let the downsizing
begin!<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most lists of really truly
extreme sources of stress include moving house. This house is TO’s baby, and
the thought of having to move after 30 or so years is really stressful for her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I shall soon have to apologise
for every rude joke I’ve ever made about TO’s hoarding. She is being brave and
ruthless beyond my wildest expectations, but I won't assume it isn't stressing her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stage one of the downsizing process is decluttering. I've allowed 18 months for this on the project management plan.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsMJrCyKJUs/U3TfLGol6SI/AAAAAAAACJw/1LyzmliQTCs/s1600/10307235_10152105532868581_862613947195676002_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsMJrCyKJUs/U3TfLGol6SI/AAAAAAAACJw/1LyzmliQTCs/s1600/10307235_10152105532868581_862613947195676002_n.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If something is not wanted or
can’t be kept and absolutely must go, then what we think it is “worth” is
irrelevant. And if something is a nice reminder of a person or event from the
past but will take up too much room… we take a photo of it as a souvenir before
letting go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">[I’m sure I saw the photo idea in someone else’s blog. Thanks,
whoever you are.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">TO still has her dad’s shaving
mug, brush and razor – it’s the sort of thing that is very personal but will
not take up too much room in a bathroom. [Well, it <i>is </i>bigger than my grandmother's sugar bowl, but not much.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are having a garage sale on
Saturday– preparation for which began in earnest with a giant book cull last week. Multiplying
the number of books culled [so far] by the average new book price of $20 has
been a sobering exercise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our list of must-haves when we down size, which
started with ITEM 1: “within scooter distance of shops”, has now been altered
slightly to read “within scooter distance of shops and library”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ4k4zVQhFg/U3TfDtlpEwI/AAAAAAAACJ0/HgDUbf0z5mU/s1600/1379433_673313222680334_432286601_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ4k4zVQhFg/U3TfDtlpEwI/AAAAAAAACJ0/HgDUbf0z5mU/s1600/1379433_673313222680334_432286601_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I could go on about
downsizing, but for now the key idea is that this has been horrendously
stressful for my FBF, who has not been too well herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2e75b6;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">E. Mr Bin Guardin’<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2e75b6;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Things have been a tad quiet
on the home <s>front</s> side, since he was booked for parking on the wrong
side of the road - and copping a <i>second </i>fine for parking over his driveway when he
complained about the first fine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2e75b6;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last But By No Means Least: My Friends<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2e75b6;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A big thank you, blogland friends,
for all your get well wishes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’ve had the energy to do sod
all for, oh, about 60 years, but the last few months I’ve done less than my usual
nothing. It might take me a while, but I hope to eventually catch up on what
you’ve been doing or pondering upon, where you have been, what you see when you look through a lens, and what you did when you went
to New Guinea to teach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Keep well :) </span></div>
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-37068906913770412502014-03-18T00:09:00.003+11:002014-04-08T22:33:16.690+10:00timing is everything<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After two lots of breast surgery and then 4 whole days of rest,
it was time to fix the foot!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After the pain block [administered during foot surgery] wore off, I did find myself wondering "Oh, my God, what have I done to myself? If I had known it would hurt <i>this </i>much..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But, anyone who knows what they are on about will tell us that bone pain is pretty much the worst type of pain. I've no way to compare the heel pain to the pain of childbirth. I would like to think I have a rather good pain threshold, but part of enduring pain is knowing that it will pass. After 24 hours the pain became tolerable, but in future cases of "elective" surgery I will probably make a point of asking how long it will be before the pain becomes manageable. Just so I can be psychologically prepared, you know?</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not long after I was returned to a ward, TO came to visit me with a brand new pair
of crutches. [Not Prince Henry's vintage and, in fact, purchased by TO from a
chemist shop.] Price approx $50.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0KXr0sl-WI/UybtDuV_0SI/AAAAAAAACIg/a21VuylC3nM/s1600/Guardian-Forearm-Crutches-191933-PRODUCT-MEDIUM_IMAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0KXr0sl-WI/UybtDuV_0SI/AAAAAAAACIg/a21VuylC3nM/s1600/Guardian-Forearm-Crutches-191933-PRODUCT-MEDIUM_IMAGE.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iksPFyxFMQU/UybtD2jCihI/AAAAAAAACIo/YKGWj9oFzTI/s1600/BalletClassBarre3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iksPFyxFMQU/UybtD2jCihI/AAAAAAAACIo/YKGWj9oFzTI/s1600/BalletClassBarre3.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why do I have a picture here of barre exercises?<br />
The answer is because I had sort of pictured the crutches<br />
helping me walk gracefully...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once I was home, the only way to get upstairs was backwards,
on my BTM. Not only have I not swum a lap for ten years [hence the bingo flaps],
but also have to haul more weight up the stairs than I should be carrying – it's
almost as if chocolate is <i>designed</i> to
come back and bite us in the bum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On my first day home alone, TO headed off to work. At some
point I tried hobbling on crutches to the powder room, only to lose my balance
and flip A over T. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The surgeon later suggested, by phone, the enormous cracking
sound I heard was probably the sound of the plaster cracking a little. I did
not discuss with him the other sound I heard when I fell –a word I must confess
I have used once or twice before. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That night, TO decided that because of the breast surgery [and
the consequences of my own innate laziness] my arms were not strong enough for
crutches and we should hire a knee cruzer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/e1bAHpwQVOs" width="420"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4 Minutes into this clip you can see this thing has a great
turning circle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">----------------------------</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The cruzer TO ended up hiring – apparently the only short-ass
option available – has a turning circle of 5 miles. Negotiating some corners in
the house required either a 20 point turn or that I simply stand on one leg
while picking up the knee rest and turning the entire scooter by hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For all its faults, my relatively crappy knee cruiser <i>was </i>a
great success. Every single and/or married male </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">from 5 to 95 that</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I knew [and some I didn't] "had a
go" at riding it. Each and every one of them enjoyed talking about a
better way to design it for steering or manoeuvrability.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just the same, for the price of delivery, return, and 4
weeks' rent, it might have been better value to simply buy one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a few weeks, it was time to remove the plaster and 15
metal staples from my heel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvznTrQPn3c/UybuxeakhsI/AAAAAAAACI8/PDBSZ9RrSEI/s1600/Diabetic-Boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvznTrQPn3c/UybuxeakhsI/AAAAAAAACI8/PDBSZ9RrSEI/s1600/Diabetic-Boots.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Moon Boot - Costs the Earth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mr B, the bone man who fixed my foot, seems not to be in the
business of supplying moon boots or ancillary equipment himself – but some extremely
enterprising "company" keeps a woman on hand in his rooms to personally
"fit" boots and stuff to people's heels as needed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the staples were removed, the wound dressed and then the boot fitted in one smooth sequence, I found myself forking over a 25% share of our little house in
Franger before I had a clue what I was doing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A quick search of the 'net <i>now</i> shows that I was well and truly robbed – the words "one time
use only" stitched onto the boot seem a tad extreme to me. Even new it would be easy to find a boot much cheaper than the one I bought.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I shan't complain too much. Mr B has accepted medicare and
private health care contributions as payment in full for the whole bang lot [except for the boot and compression stockings].
Nonetheless, I have now learned that some advance planning and questions about
spending on complementary products <i>before</i>
surgery might be a good idea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once I was in the moon boot, the crutches were actually
handy as they helped me control just how much pressure I was putting on my foot
at any point in time. I really only needed the scooter upstairs for the last
week because TO did not want to hear me fiddling with Velcro straps in the
middle of the night when I needed to go potty.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The surgical wound on my heel has been slow to heal. Here's a picture that will give you an idea of the size and location of the wound:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTvnfRTmHCI/UybtD708djI/AAAAAAAACIs/O572PakI3Xw/s1600/droppedImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTvnfRTmHCI/UybtD708djI/AAAAAAAACIs/O572PakI3Xw/s1600/droppedImage.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The timing of this surgery is
an example of a case where TO did <i>not</i> put 2 and 2 together
properly – radiation therapy does make the body take longer to repair.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The infection was only kept under control by the miracle of
silver sulfadiazine dressings. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The exciting news is that I have now ditched the moon boot,
and have a lift inside one of my proper shoes. I can drive! This will save me what has been an average of $27 -$28 per
day in taxi fares to and from radiation therapy. Phew.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The public vs private health system question is a question
I'm not sure there is a clear answer to. With respect to a Haglund's procedure,
what I can be reasonably confident about is that it would never be urgent
enough to actually get done under a public system.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, my private health insurance covered the cost of 2 nights
in hospital.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It also contributed to the cost of consultations, surgery,
anaesthetic, etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've had to wear the cost of the crutches, the cruzer and
the boot. TO's timing of the surgery has cost quite a bit of her energy, and a
lot of dough on taxi-fares. In about 6 months' time I'll be looking for
treatment to fix my right shoulder which has not been quite the same since my
big powder room fall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the other hand, TO's connections have saved me tons of
dough on "gap" payments to surgeons and anaesthetists.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've learned a few lessons from this exercise - though hopefully I won't need to use them in a hurry - ask up front what I'll need, when I'll need it, and make sure I will have time to shop around.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For
so-called "elective" procedures, private health insurance is a must,
but on its own not necessarily sufficient to keep us covered. As I shan't
be putting up with the burning, searing pain in my leg for the next 20 years the
out of pocket expenses were worth it - but probably only because we could actually afford it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">LATE EDIT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sorry peeps - have been a tad seedy, grumpy, busy etc. TY for sticking with me. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-69434741825477714592014-03-14T04:01:00.002+11:002014-03-14T04:02:56.313+11:00the sky is not falling but my bank balance is<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/97nAQCVzQ18" width="420"></iframe>)
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
THE STORY SO FAR:
because my heel was sore, I had a mammogram [as you do]. 2 different lots of
breast cancer were found very, very, very early. What follows is about the heel,
health insurance and the costs of treatments generally.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a particularly
crappy 3 months TO had been looking forward to a few months' working only 30
hours a fortnight. Suddenly, on 27 December she came home to learn that not
only had I had a mammogram without telling her, the GP had rung less than an
hour after I got home from the mammogram, flapping about making an appointment
to see a breast surgeon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What TO then had to
deal with for too long [i.e. over the holiday period] was too much general knowledge
but not enough specific information about ME or MY cancer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What she really
needed was to spill her guts /vent about this [plus a whole heap of other
ongoing stresses] to someone neutral like a counsellor but, holiday periods
being what they are, one could not be found.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The "too much
knowledge" bit begins with a wee snippet about lymph systems. Think
"lymph system" think "crap catcher".<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As an analogy, let's
say we have lymph nodes [gully traps] in our armpits [amongst other places]. Once
toxic stuff [like lead paint] hits the gully trap, it all heads straight for a
natural waterway somewhere. [Eat more fish…. it's healthy!]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRDDj-ALPms/UyHhxNCnEWI/AAAAAAAACIQ/vSZqqRprCng/s1600/lymph.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRDDj-ALPms/UyHhxNCnEWI/AAAAAAAACIQ/vSZqqRprCng/s1600/lymph.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lymph system to
which the <i>left</i> breast connects
directly is a bigger system – if one must find breast cancer one hopes to catch
it early, and in the <i>right</i> breast. Of course, if someone does find themselves with cancer in the left breast [as I did], it is not a good idea to have a partner who catastrophises].<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A rather long and
tedious journey down the cancer treatment path lay ahead of us both. It's nice
to have a partner with whom one can discuss things, or to whom one can whinge –
but two partners discussing things does not necessarily involve solutions or miracles, it's
often just venting and should not be taken to be an obligation or expectation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TO, when it comes to
other people's medical issues, does not know how to ditch the God Complex. If
someone is unwell she feels personally responsible for the illness, and for
finding solutions. Late last year she coached one of her old school mates
through the death of a 41 year old son. TO had been telling him for ages to do something
about his reflux, but unfortunately, R did not do anything until it was way too
late. This was very draining and distressing for all concerned, and just one of the things TO was dealing with.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aunty has had a
series of medical dramas. She has had a series of hospitalisations to go along
with the dramas. Although TO has often been right about what to do next, even
when specialists and experts are scratching their heads TO cannot let go of the
notion that <i>she</i> should know what to
do. It is only because I know her that I won't accuse her of arrogance but
there are times I'm tempted to beat her repeatedly on the head with a heavy pan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TO's motto, I think,
might be "bite off more than you can chew then chew like crazy". The
more tired she gets, the faster and more frantic she becomes about the things
she "has" to do. If her car was running low on petrol she would speed
up, hoping to get "there" before she runs out of fuel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TO "knew"
that if I did not get my foot fixed now I never would. She pushed me to get it
done straight away so I might be well enough for at least one week of her
holidays in April. So, there we were at the starting line, the gun went off and
within 2 seconds TO was way in front while I slowly brought up the rear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over Christmas we
made a three day dash to Jindera to see TO's Mum, then came back home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Briefly, next jobs
were<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->do lots
of running around and stuff for Aunty<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->visit
breast surgeon of choice<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->go to
clayton for stereotactic biopsies [and insertion of titanium clips]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->visit
surgeon for path results from biopsies<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->decide
what sort of breast surgery would be appropriate<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->x-ray
guided hook wire attachment to titanium clips<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->the breast
surgery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->the path
results from the breast surgery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->first
visit to orthopaedic surgeon about the foot<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->the
oops-we-need-an-extra-bit-chopped-out discussion about more breast surgery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->the
extra breast surgery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->the foot
surgery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->the path
results for the extra breast surgery<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and so on, etcetera
and so forth ad nauseum and infinitum.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through the latter stages of this,
there was a lot of the daily grind to be taken care of [by the only household
member who was mobile and did not need to keep their leg elevated.] <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TO got tired.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm glad TO was with
me for my first appointment with the breast surgeon. I thought I was calm,
accepting and perfectly rational about the whole business, but did not hear a
word the surgeon said beyond "bilateral mastectomy". To be honest,
even if I <i>had</i> heard what she was
saying, I would not have had any idea what it meant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I tried to recall
the content of the discussion, a loop was playing in my mind of Whoopi Goldberg
trying to catch the lyrics of <i>Jumpin Jack
Flash</i>, saying "Mick, Mick, Mick… speak English!"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While TO did all the
"two legs good, one leg useless" household stuff with no one but a
floor manager to help, what else was there for me to do but stare catatonically
at a pc screen trying to discern the deeper and more profound meanings of breast
cancer terminology?<br />
No matter how calm or accepting one is, one still hopes to know what is happening "tomorrow". How would all of this affect my self-image? Would breast conservation surgery and breast reconstruction be an issue? To be honest, if I had money to waste on vanity, I would rather use it to remove acne scars. But I was not let off the thinking hook - types of surgery and so forth were still an issue because everything has side effects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing I found most
intriguing is that <o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">the original imaging report from my
mammogram said lesion 1 was "highly suspicious for high grade
DCIS" [i.e. I should panic]<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">pathology results from my first lot of
biopsies said lesion 1 was only ADH [effectively bugger all]<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">second lot of pathology reports after my
<i>first</i> lot of surgery said lesion
1 was invasive cancer…<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Forget lesion two –
can you see a pattern emerging here with lesion 1? This pathology stuff is not quite an exact
science. I guess what "they" find depends to some extent on what bits
they take and then examine. We are talking about margins as small as 2 mm,
here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How long does it
take one rogue cancer cell to grow enough before it is visible on a mammogram?
The answer to this and a million other questions seems to be "it varies
from one person to another…"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-----------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did discover
before surgery that there are extra comfy undergarments available, but after a
week and half of searching still had no idea where to find them. I was given
one – free of charge - the day <i>after</i>
surgery. We were in the middle of a disgusting heatwave, and after a few hours
on the phone I managed to track down some more. It cost me $136.00 for the last
two pair in my size available through Myer in <st1:state w:st="on">Victoria</st1:state>. I will never say horrible things
about Myer again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally stumbled on
the web address <b><a href="http://www.bcna.org.au/">www.bcna.org.au</a></b> and requested a specific
booklet from a series. Received the entire kit [which is bigger than the tax
act] full of booklets, brochures and DVDs. All the stuff I'd been trying to
work out was covered in the kit and could have saved me a lot of searching.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The stuff in the kit
was logical, detailed enough without being too detailed, and included a 50% discount
card for those undergarments I had just spent my life savings on. Sometimes, my
timing sucks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--------------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Naturally, a lot of
questions remain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How does private
health insurance stack up against none, or against a health care card?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where should we go
for more info or what other things should we consider before surgery [whether breast surgery or heel surgery]?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How much have I
spent so far, and could I have saved some of this expense had I been better
informed sooner?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just how much has
the great promise of Gough's original medibank system been eroded?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
and more…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-52141492710446789282014-03-11T23:36:00.002+11:002014-03-12T13:46:28.198+11:00haglund's deformity<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Haglund's deformity sounds like a good
name for a soft porn movie, don't you think? Especially in light of the fact
that Haglund's deformity is a <i>bone</i>
deformity, sometimes known as "pump bump"!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHAIDwhfqgs/Ux7-78TsGXI/AAAAAAAACHw/TTFOnEBsJkw/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHAIDwhfqgs/Ux7-78TsGXI/AAAAAAAACHw/TTFOnEBsJkw/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No. This is not my own hairy leg.<br />
I am blonde.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Title aside, this
little operation story is far more interesting than one of Uncle Arthur's slide
nights because, operation story or not, it's about ME. [If that doesn't whet
your appetite for more detail, nothing will.]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reader, I cannot
tell a lie. For several years I have been … well, <i>observing</i> is the word I would use but TO prefers to call it
<i>complaining</i>… that I can't walk/run/move any faster because my foot hurts. My
heel has been killing me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the most part I
kept trying to ignore it, even though it grew progressively worse. [No, not TO's nagging - the pain. Please concentrate!] </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At one point
[during a brief-lived "scabby" phase] I took my heel bump to a bulk
bill GP.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9opBM5mB9Ng/Ux7-8XCx26I/AAAAAAAACH0/_ok7ENfX8Mc/s1600/140387907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9opBM5mB9Ng/Ux7-8XCx26I/AAAAAAAACH0/_ok7ENfX8Mc/s1600/140387907.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Eeece
shoo," was his diagnosis. "Wear better shoo", was his
prescription. I spoke about the burning searing pain that sometimes woke me at
night. "Eeece shoo", he repeated, with no emotion but with a great
deal of conviction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started wearing
sensible shoes decades before I heard lesbians referred to as "women who
wear sensible shoes", but I guess the point would have been lost on him.
How he could tell me my sensible shoes were not sensible shoes is beyond me –
especially when he sounded like he came from a country where, until recently,
any shoe that was within coee of the right size was worth a cuppla months' food
on the black market.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MkpwpB4elJg/Ux7-8CVWV0I/AAAAAAAACH4/EBsPxjPIb58/s1600/Men%2527s+Rockport+Shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MkpwpB4elJg/Ux7-8CVWV0I/AAAAAAAACH4/EBsPxjPIb58/s1600/Men%2527s+Rockport+Shoes.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My heel problem
began, I think, long ago when I decided to learn how to tap dance. Just once I
managed a slap up from one foot while skipping gaily down Burke Rd Camberwell
and on that single occasion did something ouchy to my heel. So endeth both my
brilliant career as a foot percussionist, and my love affair with Brazilian
boots. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If anyone says I
gave up tap dancing because I kept falling in the sink, they lie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GoCZQwQJ9zE" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For several years TO
has been pushing me to see an orthopaedic surgeon about my heel. If she is
winding down her hours and retiring by the end of 2014, we'd best make hay etc
before "our time-share"* expires.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Off I goes to organise
imaging of my "pump bump". This was my Christmas present to TO and
Aunty – once we worked out what the problem is – other than "shoo" –
there would be no more nagging/ nor even speaking of the heel again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My regular GP [$36
gap payment] referred me to a private imaging place that bulk bills for Health
Care Card holders [IFF the item is medicare rebateable**]. I thought if I was
going to get images of my heel bump I might as well have a mammogram at the
same time [having absolutely not a clue how long it has been since my last
one.]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Make sure you
get an appointment for a day Dr CH is the radiologist", said my GP and I booked
my appointment accordingly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As if being
bulk-billed wasn't enough, this private imaging mob have a new you-beaut mammo
machine that did NOT leave me feeling like my threepenny bits had been run over
by a road train – only by a Vespa which as many of you might appreciate was way
more cool!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A8b5qnKAbh0/Ux7_kNb6nQI/AAAAAAAACIA/RL1wYZRqkLE/s1600/mammogram2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A8b5qnKAbh0/Ux7_kNb6nQI/AAAAAAAACIA/RL1wYZRqkLE/s1600/mammogram2.gif" height="200" width="155" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Please wait
here", says the radiographer with her mouth, while letting me know <i>telepathically</i> that Dr CH the
radiologist is a control freak.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The radiographer
came back a few minutes later and said more images were required. I was chuffed
– nothing bugs me more than dressing and undressing and dressing and so on.
Let's just do the whole bang lot in one go. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn't even have
to change before heading into another room for ultrasound.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The radiographer made
me feel better when she assured me what I saw on the screen was not twins, but did
ask me to wait as Dr CH liked to double checked the ultrasounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"What about my
heel?" asked I, just before leaving. "Oh, all right then" Dr CH
might have thought to himself, and gave my request about 2 minutes' attention. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, dear reader, I
must acknowledge that I now know what I did not know until quite recently – 1
in 8 women who live to 85 will get breast cancer. It's unbelievably common.
[No, I am neither 85 nor common – but traces of breast cancer were found].<br />
Breast cancer is less common in men. I'm sure there is someone in Australia who really does give a shit about breast cancer in men but I have not yet been able to find out who.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If any of you have
NOT yet learned the hard way what I have recently learned the hard way, I might
be able to offer some tips. But first, I have one more confession to make: I'm an idiot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every neurone in my brain said "You've got enough on your
plate, ignore the heel for now, don't be so bloody stupid" but the part of
me that compromises [i.e. gives in 'cos it's easier than arguing] gave in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Apologies everyone</b></u> - I was so concerned with not making a big deal out of having breast cancer that I forgot at first to make it clear whether or not I do have cancer and then even when I tried to fix it did not make it clear that the cancer was caught very, very, very early - all because I had a sore heel.<br />
The link between the cancer and the heel continues if you have not already become sick of wondering what on earth I'm on about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*<i>The time-share =
the private hospital where TO works, where TO knows others and is known, and
where we all seem to spend an inordinate amount of time getting a lot of medical
attention.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
** <i>Whether or not
something is rebateable by medicare
is a bit of a mystery at times. One might just as easily turn base metal into
gold, or get a free cup of coffee from Gina Rinehart as work out the medicare
system. Maybe Tony will simplify things and just scrap it when he flogs off
Medibank Private. It's a thought.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-13793713111718171502014-02-09T22:50:00.000+11:002014-02-09T22:50:14.336+11:00how did crabs first come to Australia?<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The answer, of course, is on crutches.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-----------------------</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYmTFvBHtes/Uvdqx9qKKzI/AAAAAAAACHQ/IidIRm3hRVU/s1600/macro+crutches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYmTFvBHtes/Uvdqx9qKKzI/AAAAAAAACHQ/IidIRm3hRVU/s1600/macro+crutches.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is only by sheer co-incidence that TO brought these
critters inside <i>after</i> I had looked at
<a href="http://highriser.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/a-stroll-to-town.html"><st1:personname w:st="on">Andrew</st1:personname>'s Sunday Selections</a> where I
learned that Prince Henry's Hospital closed in 1991.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdPoSLk_v08/UvdqyE7n3OI/AAAAAAAACHU/XDXdnIqjBTI/s1600/PHH+crutches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdPoSLk_v08/UvdqyE7n3OI/AAAAAAAACHU/XDXdnIqjBTI/s1600/PHH+crutches.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was some point to the application of WD40 to rusty
nuts and subsequent adjustment of crutch height – TO wished to demonstrate what
is required for the proper use of crutches. There was even some point to the
demonstration but, yawn, let's move on to something far more interesting [as if
it were possible].</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, your first impression is not correct. TO is <i>not </i>a
compulsive hoarder – she simply likes reminders of momentous events in her
life. These crutches were used by her good self shortly after the great car
crash of 1964. She assures me that she did not keep this particular pair of
crutches as souvenirs, nor did she keep them because she believed they might come
in handy one day; sometimes she just "forgets" to return things.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In any case, I must admit that of all the crap in all the
sheds in all the backyards in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>,
this little pair of crutches <i>has</i> been
useful. They've been loaned and returned many times over in the ten years I
have been sharing my life with TO <s>and her crap</s>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>
was, until quite recently in its post-colonial history, a country made
financially strong by primary industry. <st1:city w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:city>,
however, has long been rightly proud of its aptitude for secondary industry. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How
much of that manufacturing output, I wonder, has consisted of wooden crutches?
I do believe demand might have been very high from, say, the beginning of the
20th Century and for quite some decades after.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-11617385857847879922014-02-02T22:45:00.002+11:002014-02-02T22:47:16.048+11:00enough to give you the pip<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What we now know as the Euopean Union has been formed and re-formed
for decades. One of its predecessor organisations was the <st1:place w:st="on">European
Economic Community</st1:place>, born in 1957. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After much hand wringing, the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> finally signed up to the
European Union in 1973. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
[The EU's history is not only a complicated history, but a
boring one. Forgive me if I don't check facts/say more and thereby increase the
chances of making some glaringly obvious mistake.]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Originally, dumping [before true globalisation happened] was
the means whereby European states [e.g. <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region>, amongst others]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>made sure they still had an agricultural community to rely
on</li>
<li>prevented millions of suddenly redundant farmers walking
off their land and heading straight to cities in search of non-existent work</li>
</ul>
by subsidising agriculture i.e. paying farming families to
stay put.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Surplus agricultural product was sent to a range of third-world
countries and territories, allowing dump<b><i>er</i></b> countries to provide millions of dollars
of "aid" to dump<b><i>ee</i></b> countries. How very white of
them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, the EU has had an anti-dumping policy for yonks now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all, how can an industry be efficient when it is
competing with dumped produce from all over <st1:place w:st="on">Asia</st1:place>?
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People were commenting a few years ago about cheap
banananananas from the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>
wreaking havoc with <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>'s
banana industry. My general thoughts on the matter have long been that even
Asians have to eat, surely we could channel our "smarts" into an
industry where poorer people/nations can't compete?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sigh. Pity there is always a difference between what should
be and what is. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to the question of subsidising SPC – a major
employer in the heart of <st1:state w:st="on">Victoria</st1:state>'s
fruit bowl, I'm torn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a) like electricity, water supply and shipping/rail/transport infrastructure [stop laughing <st1:personname w:st="on"><a href="http://highriser.blogspot.com.au/">Andrew</a></st1:personname>,
this is serious] Australians must share responsibility for the maintenance of
essential industries and services. Agriculture is part of this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
b) why the heck should Australians subsidise private corporations
like Coca-Cola?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Let's start with the human side of the story:<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As those lying one eyed Un-Australian pinkos at the ABC put
it,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">In recent years a wave of refugees from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Sudan</st1:country-region>, the Republic of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Congo</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iraq</st1:country-region>
and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Afghanistan</st1:country-region> has
diversified <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Goulburn</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>'s vibrant
community.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A study sponsored by the Dept of Immig in 2012 says:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-autospace: none;">
<i>About 11 per cent of the population were born in a country other than <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, with
almost 8 per cent coming from countries where English is not their first
language. Many of the refugees who came to Shepparton have settled in the area,
enjoying the rural lifestyle and the opportunities for seasonal and permanent
work.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i>The major employment opportunities in Shepparton and the region are in
agriculture, food manufacturing, retail, health care and social assistance. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i>The region is a major producer of fruit and vegetables and refugees are
often employed in this industry. Peak time is in the warmer months between
November and April, and the work usually involves fruit picking. It is accessible
to women and men from all backgrounds, regardless of their English language
ability. A high number of people come to Shepparton during these summer months
to work in this industry. Transport may be provided for workers between Shepparton
and the orchards. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i>Those with higher levels of English-speaking skills will have
opportunities to apply for work in the manufacturing industry. This work is
usually preserving and packaging fresh fruit. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Figures I've been able to dredge up tell me Shepparton's
resident population is about 63 000. If 10% are not Australian born, it's not
hard to believe the number of 4,000 Iraqis resettled in the Shepp/ Kyabram area
between 2001-2003.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Now there's the irrigation side<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some people call it "trickle down economics". The
rich get richer, spend a dollar here and there, and the poor get not so quite
poorer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some people talk about flow on effects: People employed [whether
in subsidised industries or not] pay taxes, and they spend money in shops and
on services etc and the money goes round and round.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Orchardists in the fruit bowl area have been ripping up
thousands of trees a year for years. [a significant loss of capital.]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>The corporate [i.e. <i>artificial</i>
<i>person</i>] side of the story<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a basic conflict between state accounts and federal
accounts. States have a vested interest in competing with other states for
funds. Federal governments have a vested interest in sucking up to this or that
corporation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mining is subsidised to the tune of billions. Okay, it's an
essential industry, but is there a limit to how much mining we need. Is nobody
going to acknowledge the damage the mining boom has done to other Australian
industries? We've gone beyond a pig-iron Bob mentality to a pigs at the trough
mentality.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some organisations in the past, such as Bonds or Kodak have
taken enormous bonuses from government and then a year or two later shut shop
and cashed up all their onshore assets. All I can say to that is that a bank
does not lend money without a mortgage on assets, what the heck is wrong with some governments?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some industries – vehicle manufacturing amongst them –
generate greater income through wage taxation than they cost in subsidies. Many
such industries are essential, because we need to maintain capacity and skills.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tony Abbott, may his government soon rest in peace, made the
valid point at wherever it was a few weeks ago that, in a global economy,
nations should get their acts together and do something about companies that
avoid paying tax in the country where they generate their profits.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That aside, instead of privatising essential services, governments
should be buying into essential services.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps you are sick of the word Myki… I know I'm sick of
whingeing about it. But it's a prime example of something stupid at work here. Employing
people to sell tickets, if we fine tuned the wages end, would be a really
really good work-for-the dole scheme. Ditto buying SPC from Coca Cola.</div>
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-58583846926680458922013-12-01T04:15:00.001+11:002013-12-01T04:19:54.679+11:00a letter from fkn<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other day received my local state MP's spring 2013
newsletter.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIfb3vFTbQ8/Upob_fMXm9I/AAAAAAAACG4/nA0x6Eqinp4/s1600/New+Picture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIfb3vFTbQ8/Upob_fMXm9I/AAAAAAAACG4/nA0x6Eqinp4/s320/New+Picture.png" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
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The man's name is Geoff Shaw [member for Fkn]. Originally
elected as a Liberal, he is now independent, holds the balance of power, and
has spent the past few weeks fence sitting over <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/frankston-mp-geoff-shaw-lashes-out-at-magistrate-20131126-2y7zd.html">State Labor's attacks on theSpeaker of the House</a>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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[Can't for the life of me understand why anyone could
imagine a specific politician – in this case the current speaker - to have
lesser skills or standards than the rest of them. Why are they picking on him? How much lower /ineffective could he possibly be?]</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shaw is seeking leave to submit a private member's bill to
change our state abortion law. As a general rule, I sometimes wonder why we
must protect <i>unborn</i> children at all
costs, but what we do to them <i>after</i>
they are born is sod all - literally, in
fact, if they go to the wrong Catholic Parish School or are molested by a magistrate.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In any case, what good is the introduction of any bill to a
parliament that has effectively shut down while everyone plays politics with
the all important question of who is fit to be Speaker?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I digress: Back to the [taxpayer funded] newsletter.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i>Dear Resident,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Despite allegations made against me and the media attention my family
and I have endured over many months, I want to assure Frankston residents that
I am more than ever determined that our beautiful city continues to receive the
best representation in the State Parliament…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and more in that vein.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Age article [link above] includes a quote showing how
well Shaw talks up the desirability of living or investing in Frankston.</div>
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</div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>He said he still had support in Frankston: ‘‘I can walk in Frankston, one of the toughest areas in Victoria and I only get well-wishes from people’’.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
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<br /></div>
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Inside the newsletter is the usual list of Local Member Achievements.
While I'm not sure we needed to spend $9 million for new learning centres at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mount</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Erin</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">College</st1:placename></st1:place> <i>in Frankston South</i>, I am impressed that
9.1 million has been spent to add 2 mental health short stay prevention and
recovery centres to the total already elsewhere around the State</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been obvious for quite a while that a lot has been
spent improving the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Frankston</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place> [at least there
is somewhere to park now while you wait… and wait… and wait… in the ED].</div>
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<br /></div>
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But whose achievements are these? Those of the Liberal Party
of which Shaw is no longer a member? Perhaps some were initiated by the previous Labor Government?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shaw is working hard to secure funding to replace the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Karingal</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Primary School</st1:placetype></st1:place> toilet block. Presumably
students at Mt Erin College <i>in Frankston
South</i> already have decent crappers. If the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Karingal</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Primary School</st1:placetype></st1:place>
gets <i>$9m</i> for the project, I shall be
forced to commend his egalitarian approach.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Shaw's future aims also include more courts at various
basketball and netball association centres – but no court appearances at all
for his own flagrant abuses of taxpayer funds. If the local cops have had time
to work up a whole swag of 24 charges against him, serves him right for increasing
the size of the local Force.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Meanwhile, some people want older people to find jobs [ha] and work til they are 70. Others want old people lucky enough to have jobs to leave them so youngsters will have a chance. Some people believe youngsters already have plenty of job opportunities but refuse to because they are a bunch of lazy dole bludgers. If they got off their arses and went to TAFE colleges, we would not need to hire foreign tradies on 457 visas.</div>
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The Vic Govt solution to all these employment woes? To ignore the previous Labor government solution of making the TAFE system a useless joke.</div>
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If only I had the super superannuation Geoff will have after his stint in Parliament, I would not be one of those babyboomers soon seeking to be a burden on taxpayers.<br />
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-48263896508585253372013-11-29T16:34:00.001+11:002013-11-29T16:45:35.671+11:00?<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="280" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nfK3tdsbulg" width="448"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Starts at 1:36</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Amira Willighagen 9 years</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Well it started with Kninginnedag, my brother
played violin and I also wanted to do something. So I thought I'd better go to
sing. I searched on Youtube a song, and then I heard opera songs, which I found
very beautiful, that 's when I started singing</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> </span><br />
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<br />FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-70199852049303684102013-11-27T17:03:00.000+11:002013-11-27T17:03:15.856+11:00not my fault<br />
If anything here seems the least bit offensive to you, I am sorry [though I shall not say for what].<br />
<br />
Just blame TO, the devil, she <i>made </i>me do it!<br />
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<br />FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523157134200402843.post-87341485710536209852013-11-27T02:16:00.000+11:002013-11-27T02:16:23.758+11:00letting go<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About a week ago, TO and I watched a movie she had recorded
to share with me – she knows I love history, and that on St Patrick's day the
whole world is green.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Some Mother's Son</i>
starred Helen Mirren and Fionnula Flanagan – mothers of two of the IRA members
who went on a hunger strike in 1981. Bobby Sands was the prisoner who kick
started the strike, and I well remember where I was when I heard he had finally
died. [Sort of makes up for my JFK ignorance, I hope].</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"The troubles" [i.e. civil rights movement] in <st1:place w:st="on">Northern Ireland</st1:place>
were ignited sometime around 1968, after which there was a resurgence of Make
Ireland Irish sentiment. The IRA became busier, and a hell of a lot of
bloodshed, murder, and destruction of families ensued. [Okay – orange as well
as green: I can be impartial because Australian job ads baldly stating NO IRISH
had just about disappeared by the time I left school.]</div>
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Unlike the civil rights movement in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region>, there
simply wasn't the endlessly replayed footage of "great" moments to
quite bring the Irish thing home to Australians. No heart stopping photos of a
Vietnamese girl running down a road, her body on fire, nor of a lone man with a
shopping bag bravely staring down a tank in <st1:place w:st="on">Tiananmen
Square</st1:place>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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At the time of the hunger strikes in Maze Prison, I was
aware that the principal demand of the IRA prisoners was that they be given
prisoner of war status; that they should not be branded criminals. Aside from
what we arty-farties would call excellent direction, editing and
script-writing, the film was interesting because it showed me a whole new angle
– a new context – for the hunger strike story.</div>
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<b>Spoiler Alert</b>
[just in case by some miniscule chance you have not seen this film but might in
the future].</div>
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The film opened with footage of Margaret Thatcher's arrival
at No 10 in 1979:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0SQuFjH3AUA" width="420"></iframe>
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Quite frankly, despite my professed atheism, I happen to
treasure the "Prayer of St Francis" and must now add blasphemy to my
list of Thatcher's sins. [And being judgmental, yet again, to mine.]</div>
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After this opening, a few characters were introduced and
fleshed out after which we went straight to the room where some pompous little pommy
git was in charge of bringing the troubles to an end with a policy of "isolate,
demoralise and criminalise".</div>
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The primary intention was to shut down the border between
Northern and Free Ireland so the IRA couldn't keep moving freely backwards and
forwards. "War" does not leave innocent people untouched, and wars
like this one create martyrs and sow discord where once there might have been
harmony.</div>
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Not only was it a well made film, it dredged up a whole lot
emotion and memories; reminders of many of the incidents happening during the
Thatcher years – including things happening to Britons.</div>
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A lot of people were happy when Thatcher died. Can't swear
to it, but I think I was indifferent. When stuff ends, then that is the time to
celebrate, and a lot of it ended when Thatcher left office.</div>
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------------</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
What prompted this rambling journey into Irish history was a
link posted by a friend on her facebook page to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/25/mapping-redheads-which-country-has-the-most">a world map showing thedistribution of redheads. </a></div>
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As one does, I just kept following random links and bumped
into stories about the British Army's Dirty War in <st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place>.</div>
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-------------</div>
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As I have often said, I do believe that when people choose
to immigrate to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>
they should leave their old wars behind. Nonetheless, I must concede that once
somebody dies under unjust circumstances, they remain dead and the personal
truths behind those deaths do not change.</div>
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Some years ago, we gave Indigenous Australians an
opportunity to tell their stories, and were willing to acknowledge their truth.
This is hardly compensation, but still a fairly significant way of recognising peoples'
realities. It's also a necessary first step in helping people to let go and to
move on.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
After the fall of apartheid in <st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place>, the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission served a similar function. </div>
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We are now hearing some horrible truths emerge about child
abuse cover-ups – primarily by the Catholic Church. The abuse happened, it
happened around the world and it happened a long time ago, but what makes it
important <i>today</i> is that the Australian
Church is yet to be honest and open and stop using double-speak to avoid
admitting they phucked up. They are still awfully reluctant to see people as
people -as deserving some basic respect if for no other reason than they are people.
</div>
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It would be nice if the Brits acknowledge a few truths as
well.</div>
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FruitCakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660225514077942415noreply@blogger.com2