Having, sort of, got my head around the speed of light thing, but perhaps not, the next part is the travelling to a new planet or star, somehow.
These are the current questions I muse on as I meditate myself to sleep.
How many of you are there on this journey?
If speed of light travel, or near to s-o-l travel is possible that would still mean that something 2 light years away would take 2 years to get to? Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf about 4.24 light-years from the Sun, that's a 9 year round trip?
Could be nothing there when you got there.
A life just as ordinary. Wherein I drink beer, and write badly
Showing posts with label denial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label denial. Show all posts
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Friday, April 4, 2014
Who you going to call? – Ghost Hunters (of Auckland)
My eyebrows litterally moved when I saw this article.
The link is here : Mystery at the asylum
It starts badly for them 'Hunted Auckland"........
"With a rise in reports of paranormal activity across Auckland, stuff goes on a ghost hunt with Hunted Auckland at the abandoned Kingseat psychiatric hospital. "
It's a creepy place, with a past that plays to your lizard brain, the builsings all brick and imposing, trees. It's deserted, it's a long way from anywhere. It is spooky. In fact there is a theme entertainment there called, oddly, Spookers. They have lots of actors in dress up Zombie clothes, blood make-up, and themed rooms of things like mad old mental women, spiders, surgery rooms etc. Again Lizard brain loves this stuff.
Like I said, middle of nowhere, I belive they used to bring patients in by boat and that it ws there for its remote location. I could be making that up, I might research it more.
Then the science kicks in .........
electromagnetic field metres - say what they measure is distance....
Science again ....
They don't mention EVP recordings?
So more science ....
So.... historical context, history of abuse, the darker side of human nature, untold horrors meeted out to the patients/inmates... 20 years of decay, darkness and "creepy stairwells"
Got to be wary of "creepy stairwells"
Back to the Science ...
Eyebrows doing the full disco tango now, and then a bombshell revelation ...
They found a key to open the doors, every door, which sounds as dubious as it sounds. It was a lock-down facility, each cell would have the same lock, you then have one key per nurse/guard/doctor it isn't a mystery.
Then there is the nonsense that you have to put in to justify yourself
Lizard brain clicks into gear...
The link is here : Mystery at the asylum
It starts badly for them 'Hunted Auckland"........
"With a rise in reports of paranormal activity across Auckland, stuff goes on a ghost hunt with Hunted Auckland at the abandoned Kingseat psychiatric hospital. "
Ghostly figures in photographs, batteries that die suddenly and slamming doors are just a few of the spooky activities occurring at Asylum Paintball.
Owners Vitaly Miheer and Anton Klimenko were worried enough to get Haunted Auckland in for a look at their business premises in the former Kingseat Hospital.
The paranormal investigation and research group is now making a documentary on its three-part investigation.
Asylum Paintball was set up last November in the former psychiatric hospital's maximum security ward.
It's a creepy place, with a past that plays to your lizard brain, the builsings all brick and imposing, trees. It's deserted, it's a long way from anywhere. It is spooky. In fact there is a theme entertainment there called, oddly, Spookers. They have lots of actors in dress up Zombie clothes, blood make-up, and themed rooms of things like mad old mental women, spiders, surgery rooms etc. Again Lizard brain loves this stuff.Its two two-storey buildings have 20 rooms and are connected by a steel-caged security tunnel. They were locked up for 20 years before the paintball enthusiasts moved in.
Like I said, middle of nowhere, I belive they used to bring patients in by boat and that it ws there for its remote location. I could be making that up, I might research it more.Then the science kicks in .........
Haunted Auckland's team members arm themselves with electromagnetic field metres, camera and torches to document the paranormal or allay people's fears by explaining the seemingly inexplicable.
electromagnetic field metres - say what they measure is distance....
They found "energy" in many areas of the maximum security units at Kingseat. The eastern wing and the caged walkways in particular had levels that were unexplainable.
Haunted Auckland founder Mark Wallbank says he was standing outside one of the cell doors and saw a shadow move quickly across the wall.
"It was roughly the shape of a person but I didn't notice any arms or legs moving. It just floated from left to right," he says.
Science again ....
Investigators also recorded something that sounded like a man laughing and a number of other strange sounds.
They don't mention EVP recordings?
So more science ....
"It was everything I could've hoped for in an investigation location - soaked in history, rot and decay, signs of the past everywhere, no power, dark corridors, creepy stairwells," Wallbank says.
He won't go so far as to say there are ghosts in the building "but we know something is out there". "We need to learn more about it to understand and that's why we do these investigations."
So.... historical context, history of abuse, the darker side of human nature, untold horrors meeted out to the patients/inmates... 20 years of decay, darkness and "creepy stairwells"Got to be wary of "creepy stairwells"
Back to the Science ...
Meanwhile, the strange incidents continue.
"Batteries on our cameras suddenly run out of power. Yet away from the building they last for hours," Miheer says.
Eyebrows doing the full disco tango now, and then a bombshell revelation ...
The pair found a key in an old medical box on the windowsill and discovered it opened every door in both buildings.
They found a key to open the doors, every door, which sounds as dubious as it sounds. It was a lock-down facility, each cell would have the same lock, you then have one key per nurse/guard/doctor it isn't a mystery.
Then there is the nonsense that you have to put in to justify yourself
Miheer says he's also captured a shadow figure in a photograph.
"This place may well have something," he says.
"It certainly has a very special energy. There is some sort of feeling that I just want to stay away."
Lizard brain clicks into gear...
Related articles
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Murder Most Foul #5 – Scott Watson
Scott Watson who was convicted in May 1999 of the murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope on his boat Blade on 1 January 1998. The bodies of Smart and Hope have never been found.
Watson is serving a life sentence with a non-parole period of 17 years and is expected be released on 8 July 2016
On New Year"s Eve 1997, young holiday-makers Ben Smart and Olivia Hope dissapeared from a party at Furneaux Lodge in the Marlborough Sounds, and were last seen boarding a mystery yacht with a mystery man.
The boat that they were last seen boarding was described by witnesses as a 40ft wooden ketch (two masted yacht) with high freeboard. When Scott was photographed earlier in the evening before going ashore, he had short hair and was obviously clean shaven. His yacht "Blade' is a 26ft steel sloop (single masted yacht) with very low freeboard.
Doubts are explored here : http://www.freescottwatson.org/northandsouth/northandsouth.pdf
However you'll find assertions of guilt along the lines of "I found the DNA evidence along with the fact Watson scrubbed his yacht so thoroughly it was cleaner than a hospital ward the main indicators of guilt."
Couple of things.
I also have a memory of a conversation with someone who asserted that he'd probably be in jail for something else if it wasn't for this.
As an aside: Watson married Coral Branch in Paremoremo Prison in 2004. They separated in 2007.
It's getting close to release time for Scott Watson. No closure would have been served to the parents, or friends of Ben and Olivia.
Scott Watson may well be free in a couple of years, however will always be walking with a shadow over him, and a bunch of people who will want answers and the elusive closure.
Scott Watson may also not be released, or released with some severe and strict conditions. It depends on how much 'remorse' he shows, and his likelihood of re-offending.
It'll be an interesting time, we're not known in NZ to let a sleeping dog lie, and living in the spotlight might have some interesting side effects.
Watson is serving a life sentence with a non-parole period of 17 years and is expected be released on 8 July 2016
On New Year"s Eve 1997, young holiday-makers Ben Smart and Olivia Hope dissapeared from a party at Furneaux Lodge in the Marlborough Sounds, and were last seen boarding a mystery yacht with a mystery man.
The boat that they were last seen boarding was described by witnesses as a 40ft wooden ketch (two masted yacht) with high freeboard. When Scott was photographed earlier in the evening before going ashore, he had short hair and was obviously clean shaven. His yacht "Blade' is a 26ft steel sloop (single masted yacht) with very low freeboard.
Doubts are explored here : http://www.freescottwatson.org/northandsouth/northandsouth.pdf
However you'll find assertions of guilt along the lines of "I found the DNA evidence along with the fact Watson scrubbed his yacht so thoroughly it was cleaner than a hospital ward the main indicators of guilt."
Couple of things.
- No bodies were found and are unlikely to ever be found
- There appears to be some level of doubt about the 'evidence' of hair and DNA
- There appears to be confusion over timelines, and locations
- Scott Watson, I've always had the understanding, is\was a bit weird
I also have a memory of a conversation with someone who asserted that he'd probably be in jail for something else if it wasn't for this.
As an aside: Watson married Coral Branch in Paremoremo Prison in 2004. They separated in 2007.
It's getting close to release time for Scott Watson. No closure would have been served to the parents, or friends of Ben and Olivia.
Scott Watson may well be free in a couple of years, however will always be walking with a shadow over him, and a bunch of people who will want answers and the elusive closure.
Scott Watson may also not be released, or released with some severe and strict conditions. It depends on how much 'remorse' he shows, and his likelihood of re-offending.
It'll be an interesting time, we're not known in NZ to let a sleeping dog lie, and living in the spotlight might have some interesting side effects.
Related articles
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
The Spin Bike, the Garage and the Knee - And so it continues
Well
I have some minor health issues, Psoriasis related, but it meant I had to go get some further advice
You see Psoriatic Arthritis tends to get you down after a bit, and I have it in one knee and both ankles to a greater or lesser degree.
Having taken to exercise in the last year to combat weight gain I've been a bit up and down with pain management.
Result is that now I'm on some new meds that have some benefits and of course some side effects, but what started out as me wanting less meds has ended up with me on more.
One of the things I have been advised on is less impact exercise, so that's the running, which means the spin bike will get a work out :-) about time too.
Also and more alarmingly, might have to drink less beers, or limit my beers to three days, Friday, Saturday and possibly sunday if I'm parched, because there is some liver side effect that the new meds might give me, and possibly it's a good thing to drink slightly less.
I'm sure this ends well, with better skin, less aches and pains, and less hobbling.
Stand by for spin bike updates......
I have some minor health issues, Psoriasis related, but it meant I had to go get some further advice
You see Psoriatic Arthritis tends to get you down after a bit, and I have it in one knee and both ankles to a greater or lesser degree.
Having taken to exercise in the last year to combat weight gain I've been a bit up and down with pain management.
Result is that now I'm on some new meds that have some benefits and of course some side effects, but what started out as me wanting less meds has ended up with me on more.
One of the things I have been advised on is less impact exercise, so that's the running, which means the spin bike will get a work out :-) about time too.
Also and more alarmingly, might have to drink less beers, or limit my beers to three days, Friday, Saturday and possibly sunday if I'm parched, because there is some liver side effect that the new meds might give me, and possibly it's a good thing to drink slightly less.
I'm sure this ends well, with better skin, less aches and pains, and less hobbling.
Stand by for spin bike updates......
Related articles
Friday, January 10, 2014
The one with the new car
It came to that time that the old car had to be replaced. Because it was 10 years old, had 180k kms on the clock and because there didn't seem to be a need to have an SUV any longer, not an AWD, 2.0 litre one for the number of kms that MrsPdubyah was making in the last few years.
So away went the Airtrek and hello new (to us car)
The Airtrek has been with since just about new, we've never owned a new car, and has done us well, ferried all sorts of things to all sorts of places, but at 10 years old it was looking a bit dinged and dented, and as much as it's sad to see it go, it was time.
To be replaced with this. a 1.6 litre Ford Fiesta. Which is very sprightly indeed. Also has a bunch of new features that will confuse and delight MrsPdubyah
including BlueTooth connectivity for her phone. Might have to get a phone with BlueTooth. MP3 Connectivity. Might have to get her am MP3 player, and a radio that seems to have heaps of pre-set saved radio station options. She only listens to one of two.
Also has Cruise control. Ideal for the 7km journey to work.
This on the same day that the Holden Cruze had a meltdown with the Engine Immobiliser warning suddenly appearing, this after not starting, then starting again, being driven with the light on
MrsPdubyah parked the car nose-out 'just in case'. When I went to retrieve it, having dropped off the new MrsPhilMobile, it didn't start, the bit lid popped open, the dashboard did a disco display the radio changed channels a few times and the hazard light just came on and stayed on.
The tow-truck man came along, made out like it happened all the time and to much better cars and took it away.
The Holden Garage says they'll try to get a look at it in the next couple of days, if I'm lucky. I'm not that lucky.
I've had issues with this car before, and this time
Oh and I don't think I wrote about the ABS warning sensor on both front wheels needing replacement, the dodgy radio that sometimes has a display and other not.
I'm hoping that it's just a new battery. It probably isn't
A day of much conflict and contrast.
In other news:
These arrived. Nike LunarFly 4 , This picture doesn't do them justice, the soles are also a pale blue. Might take my frustrations out on these and the pavement.
Or I might have a beer.
Updated:
The Holden Cruze immobilizer - it was the battery causing all the drama and setting off all the lights and bells, ended up costing me twice as much as just a battery would since the technician spent an hour plugging in the computer diagnostics.
So far then, Left and Front side ABS sensors have broken of their own accord, Both interior chrome door handles replaced after the chrome flaked off and ended up cutting MrsPdubyah on one occasion, Brake Rotors, Brake pads front and rear, new battery, not bad for a car with only 90K Kms on it. Must nearly be time for 4 new tyres.
The Lunarfly 4's are awesome!
The beer has been a mixed bag.
So away went the Airtrek and hello new (to us car)
The Airtrek has been with since just about new, we've never owned a new car, and has done us well, ferried all sorts of things to all sorts of places, but at 10 years old it was looking a bit dinged and dented, and as much as it's sad to see it go, it was time.
To be replaced with this. a 1.6 litre Ford Fiesta. Which is very sprightly indeed. Also has a bunch of new features that will confuse and delight MrsPdubyah
including BlueTooth connectivity for her phone. Might have to get a phone with BlueTooth. MP3 Connectivity. Might have to get her am MP3 player, and a radio that seems to have heaps of pre-set saved radio station options. She only listens to one of two.
Also has Cruise control. Ideal for the 7km journey to work.
This on the same day that the Holden Cruze had a meltdown with the Engine Immobiliser warning suddenly appearing, this after not starting, then starting again, being driven with the light on
MrsPdubyah parked the car nose-out 'just in case'. When I went to retrieve it, having dropped off the new MrsPhilMobile, it didn't start, the bit lid popped open, the dashboard did a disco display the radio changed channels a few times and the hazard light just came on and stayed on.
The tow-truck man came along, made out like it happened all the time and to much better cars and took it away.
The Holden Garage says they'll try to get a look at it in the next couple of days, if I'm lucky. I'm not that lucky.
I've had issues with this car before, and this time
Oh and I don't think I wrote about the ABS warning sensor on both front wheels needing replacement, the dodgy radio that sometimes has a display and other not.
I'm hoping that it's just a new battery. It probably isn't
A day of much conflict and contrast.
In other news:
These arrived. Nike LunarFly 4 , This picture doesn't do them justice, the soles are also a pale blue. Might take my frustrations out on these and the pavement.
Or I might have a beer.
Updated:
The Holden Cruze immobilizer - it was the battery causing all the drama and setting off all the lights and bells, ended up costing me twice as much as just a battery would since the technician spent an hour plugging in the computer diagnostics.
So far then, Left and Front side ABS sensors have broken of their own accord, Both interior chrome door handles replaced after the chrome flaked off and ended up cutting MrsPdubyah on one occasion, Brake Rotors, Brake pads front and rear, new battery, not bad for a car with only 90K Kms on it. Must nearly be time for 4 new tyres.
The Lunarfly 4's are awesome!
The beer has been a mixed bag.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
On the Occasion of the 25th Wedding Anniversary
Eventually we were going to get there, MrsPdubyah and me.
5th November 1988, Paeroa Presbyterian Church. A date I chose, it's a long story and I'll scan some photo's and write a bit more about that.
Fast forward through the first house, then the #1 Child, the #2 Child. the 2nd house, and 3rd house, the half-dozen pet cats, the first days at school, the driving lessons, the leaving home. All those things.
Eventually you get get to 25 years. Which is where the trouble starts.
I'm not sure who thought this up, but for getting to a 25 year marriage you have to exchange traditional gifts of Silver.
It's not clear if this should be solid silver, silver plate, or silver looking. I want to know who was on the committee that decided this, it's a gross oversight.
Then, oh yes then, look for a suitable gift. When was it that matching ceramic mugs were appropriate? or a Crystal Bell?
Who exactly gives their life partner, after 25 years of marriage (not counting the courting and preamble years) a Candelabra, Knives and Forks, Serving Spoons, Silver Platter or Photo Frame?
Which of you thinks that at 25 years you're a bit doolally in the head and have slipped into some kind of dementia where you need to surround yourselves with trinkets and old tat?
Of course yes in olden times you might have. But I don't feel like I've spent half a life with MrsPdubyah. Yes on the outside a bit more rugged, but mentally still in the game.
All that aside however I'm going to be in a world of pain if I don't get a suitable gift, if only I could remember if MrsPdubyah has pierced ears on not I could get her some ear-rings, and on reflection a little bell I could tinkle wouldn't go amiss when I needed a beer top-off.
5th November 1988, Paeroa Presbyterian Church. A date I chose, it's a long story and I'll scan some photo's and write a bit more about that.
Fast forward through the first house, then the #1 Child, the #2 Child. the 2nd house, and 3rd house, the half-dozen pet cats, the first days at school, the driving lessons, the leaving home. All those things.
Eventually you get get to 25 years. Which is where the trouble starts.
I'm not sure who thought this up, but for getting to a 25 year marriage you have to exchange traditional gifts of Silver.
It's not clear if this should be solid silver, silver plate, or silver looking. I want to know who was on the committee that decided this, it's a gross oversight.
Then, oh yes then, look for a suitable gift. When was it that matching ceramic mugs were appropriate? or a Crystal Bell?
Who exactly gives their life partner, after 25 years of marriage (not counting the courting and preamble years) a Candelabra, Knives and Forks, Serving Spoons, Silver Platter or Photo Frame?
Which of you thinks that at 25 years you're a bit doolally in the head and have slipped into some kind of dementia where you need to surround yourselves with trinkets and old tat?
Of course yes in olden times you might have. But I don't feel like I've spent half a life with MrsPdubyah. Yes on the outside a bit more rugged, but mentally still in the game.
All that aside however I'm going to be in a world of pain if I don't get a suitable gift, if only I could remember if MrsPdubyah has pierced ears on not I could get her some ear-rings, and on reflection a little bell I could tinkle wouldn't go amiss when I needed a beer top-off.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Stunned into a mumbled mess.
I've been a "Manager" of people for a few years. On reflection a lot of people.
Some days it's like herding cats. If you manage people you'll get what I mean.
Different people, different ages, different goals, different ambitions, different lifestyles.
Same work. Same outcome expectations. A high standard, high pressure to be 100% accurate, high knowledge base. All the time.
I've always known what that they did and why, but I couldn't do it. I know what they need to know, I just couldn't do it or have the capacity to know it. But I knew what it was and they knew I knew.
Some days it was the worst of times, some days the best of times. Some days I came home exhausted. Some days I had to be encouraged into the car to go to work. Some days I did skipping lessons and we had ice-cream and marshmallow eating competitions. Some days.
Each and every one of the people I employed or managed, I love as either a friend, colleague or in the way a parent sees a child, I've advised on things that you wouldn't believe, and I've saved more than one thing from going wrong, I hope.
I saw a lot of people either promoted up, or promoted out and into better external jobs, and even when it went wrong, good reasons why both parties understood why it wasn't ever going to work out.
But end of day i did it because I wanted to, I liked it and ultimately because I got paid a coin to do it.
I recently got assigned to a new business function that calls upon my skill set in a different way, and that meant leaving my office and reporting line in to a new office and new reports. 15 whole meters of distance.
It was for me both the best of times and worst of times. For I love each and everyone of my old team, as I mentioned in many ways, but it released me from the "herding cats" inwards and "capacity" thinking into a more thinking and forward looking job.
It was and is a hard transition.
Today, Friday, about 7 weeks into the hand-over change, all of my earlier reports storm into my office, a mass show of force, that caused a few comments, by all accounts among the other work-groups, as they stomped from one end of the office to the other.
Wherin they gave me a "leaving card" and having had a collection a significant amount of money in beer tokens at an online beer store,
I cried. Proper tears cried.
To me they are people, friends, colleagues, family and my children. No one will ever take advantage of them if I have my say, and I hope they knew that they always, without reservation, had my backing, support, admiration, and trust, to be the best they could be, with what they had in front of them, and that if it had could have been better they would have had it better.
Hey wait...... this is another of those "look at me" posts "how good am I" things " you can do it" posts......
Not at all. I was paid to do a job, and I did it the way that sometimes worked out, sometimes went all a bit pear shaped. I passed through in an upward direction some very successful people in our organisation. I moved along some people in to alternative careers :-) and I let a few people go.
I hope that each and everyone of them got a little something out of it, I know I did.
So to ( in no order) Corey, Mark, Jess, Linda, Medge, Natalia, and Rachel who today made an old man very happy,
And it would be remiss of me not to mention current people still in the organisation who I've in someway had a "management" thing with; Jenny, Josh, Ritchie, Vanessa, Dave K, Dave H, Elena, Derek, Charlene, Vasa, and Tepa, all of who have great futures and careers in front of them, and past participle people who've made a big thing in the "outside" world", particularly Joe (take me to Huntly), other Dave, Troy, Kirtsi, Laura and Troy a really big thank you.
Without you it's a just a thing. With you it's an experience. It's been emotional.
And with that it's... to the beer store...
Some days it's like herding cats. If you manage people you'll get what I mean.
Different people, different ages, different goals, different ambitions, different lifestyles.
Same work. Same outcome expectations. A high standard, high pressure to be 100% accurate, high knowledge base. All the time.
I've always known what that they did and why, but I couldn't do it. I know what they need to know, I just couldn't do it or have the capacity to know it. But I knew what it was and they knew I knew.
Some days it was the worst of times, some days the best of times. Some days I came home exhausted. Some days I had to be encouraged into the car to go to work. Some days I did skipping lessons and we had ice-cream and marshmallow eating competitions. Some days.
Each and every one of the people I employed or managed, I love as either a friend, colleague or in the way a parent sees a child, I've advised on things that you wouldn't believe, and I've saved more than one thing from going wrong, I hope.
I saw a lot of people either promoted up, or promoted out and into better external jobs, and even when it went wrong, good reasons why both parties understood why it wasn't ever going to work out.
But end of day i did it because I wanted to, I liked it and ultimately because I got paid a coin to do it.
I recently got assigned to a new business function that calls upon my skill set in a different way, and that meant leaving my office and reporting line in to a new office and new reports. 15 whole meters of distance.
It was for me both the best of times and worst of times. For I love each and everyone of my old team, as I mentioned in many ways, but it released me from the "herding cats" inwards and "capacity" thinking into a more thinking and forward looking job.
It was and is a hard transition.
Today, Friday, about 7 weeks into the hand-over change, all of my earlier reports storm into my office, a mass show of force, that caused a few comments, by all accounts among the other work-groups, as they stomped from one end of the office to the other.
Wherin they gave me a "leaving card" and having had a collection a significant amount of money in beer tokens at an online beer store,
I cried. Proper tears cried.
To me they are people, friends, colleagues, family and my children. No one will ever take advantage of them if I have my say, and I hope they knew that they always, without reservation, had my backing, support, admiration, and trust, to be the best they could be, with what they had in front of them, and that if it had could have been better they would have had it better.
Hey wait...... this is another of those "look at me" posts "how good am I" things " you can do it" posts......
Not at all. I was paid to do a job, and I did it the way that sometimes worked out, sometimes went all a bit pear shaped. I passed through in an upward direction some very successful people in our organisation. I moved along some people in to alternative careers :-) and I let a few people go.
I hope that each and everyone of them got a little something out of it, I know I did.
So to ( in no order) Corey, Mark, Jess, Linda, Medge, Natalia, and Rachel who today made an old man very happy,
And it would be remiss of me not to mention current people still in the organisation who I've in someway had a "management" thing with; Jenny, Josh, Ritchie, Vanessa, Dave K, Dave H, Elena, Derek, Charlene, Vasa, and Tepa, all of who have great futures and careers in front of them, and past participle people who've made a big thing in the "outside" world", particularly Joe (take me to Huntly), other Dave, Troy, Kirtsi, Laura and Troy a really big thank you.
Without you it's a just a thing. With you it's an experience. It's been emotional.
And with that it's... to the beer store...
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
The one that's all about me.
I'm actually being a bit lazy. I didn't start out thinking I'd post a blog only about beer, and beer, I had this grand plan to write about other things like food.
I also though you'd all be dead interested in my meanderings towards fitness. in Pdubyahworld all this is true.
So in other non-beer related news:
I went to party for my friend Bruce. He's just got to 50, and is fairly successful and happy. What kind of present to buy? I thought long and hard and in the end it seemed the thing to give him, a thoughtful and personal gift, something to treasure and unique. A picture of me.
[caption id="attachment_5002" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
The perfect gift for the man who has everything, a picture of me.[/caption]
That's not all though, I found a book - The Dangerous book for middle aged me. It might give him some inspiration.
It probably won't.
IT was nice to catch up with friends that we haven't seen for a while and guess what, each and everyone of them lives their life vicariously through the achievements of their children. I kid you not. Being fair though we did all meet via the said children at sports, and they've all done well and won medals and trophies.
It's a nice thing that keeps us together.
I also discovered that Twitter has a grid view of the twitpics that you've posted That's a bit of nostalgia there.
Also in haste brought a Polar H7 heart rate sensor.
Yeah.
It's not compatible with the anything I own.
That sucks. Still it was very cheap and I am impulsive. Might try to sell it or even give it away to someone that might use it.
And before you make recommendations I have a work iPhone 4. not the 4S, the 4. And it's not compatible with the Nike Sportswatch either. So really limited in it's use.
I wore my New Balance shoes today, the yellow ones.
I had the brightest feet on the waterfront when I went for a walk with MrsPdubyah. I should have worn headphones and I might not have heard the laughter of children.
But then I'd probably laugh if I saw someone wearing them too, which is why I run a night, people will only see a blur of day glow fluro coming at them at ankle level, they won't notice it's at a snails pace.
I'm also at a flat spot in my weight loss, I managed to get to 92KG at one point, but I think it went to mu head, it certainly went to my stomach, and now I'm stuck at 93kg, I guess it comes down to portion control and self control (see above for story on impulse buying and self control).
On the less impulse and more thoughtful side I did buy some new suits.
The downside to that is that I had to get new shirts, and then it turns out I have more purple and pink shirts than is prudent to have.
And I don't really like the latest thing which os the checked shirt, makes it look like you're wearing a dishcloth or tablecloth.
Also, you know that thing where you say to yourself "don't spill coffee on your new pants", that doesn't work, I spilt coffee on my new pants within the first hour.
MrsPdubyah less than impressed with that. Also I now how to polish my shoes, another chore I'd forgotten about
Talking of Impulse buys.... Cut-throat razor.
I'm not sure at which point that became a good idea in my head, but I went away and brought an entry level model that you use with disposable blades, the old school type of blades.
Anyway that's a terrible idea unless you have hours to shave. Also slicing a chunk of your face off doesn't have the desired effect on the ladies, and you have to make feeble excuses about why you look like you've been savaged by a mountain lion.
So a roller coaster of a thing, which I've shared for no reason. But then it's not a beer post so I feel I did ok.
I also though you'd all be dead interested in my meanderings towards fitness. in Pdubyahworld all this is true.
So in other non-beer related news:
I went to party for my friend Bruce. He's just got to 50, and is fairly successful and happy. What kind of present to buy? I thought long and hard and in the end it seemed the thing to give him, a thoughtful and personal gift, something to treasure and unique. A picture of me.
[caption id="attachment_5002" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
The perfect gift for the man who has everything, a picture of me.[/caption]That's not all though, I found a book - The Dangerous book for middle aged me. It might give him some inspiration.
It probably won't.
IT was nice to catch up with friends that we haven't seen for a while and guess what, each and everyone of them lives their life vicariously through the achievements of their children. I kid you not. Being fair though we did all meet via the said children at sports, and they've all done well and won medals and trophies.
It's a nice thing that keeps us together.
I also discovered that Twitter has a grid view of the twitpics that you've posted That's a bit of nostalgia there.
Also in haste brought a Polar H7 heart rate sensor.
Yeah.
It's not compatible with the anything I own.
That sucks. Still it was very cheap and I am impulsive. Might try to sell it or even give it away to someone that might use it.
And before you make recommendations I have a work iPhone 4. not the 4S, the 4. And it's not compatible with the Nike Sportswatch either. So really limited in it's use.
I wore my New Balance shoes today, the yellow ones.I had the brightest feet on the waterfront when I went for a walk with MrsPdubyah. I should have worn headphones and I might not have heard the laughter of children.
But then I'd probably laugh if I saw someone wearing them too, which is why I run a night, people will only see a blur of day glow fluro coming at them at ankle level, they won't notice it's at a snails pace.
I'm also at a flat spot in my weight loss, I managed to get to 92KG at one point, but I think it went to mu head, it certainly went to my stomach, and now I'm stuck at 93kg, I guess it comes down to portion control and self control (see above for story on impulse buying and self control).
On the less impulse and more thoughtful side I did buy some new suits.The downside to that is that I had to get new shirts, and then it turns out I have more purple and pink shirts than is prudent to have.
And I don't really like the latest thing which os the checked shirt, makes it look like you're wearing a dishcloth or tablecloth.
Also, you know that thing where you say to yourself "don't spill coffee on your new pants", that doesn't work, I spilt coffee on my new pants within the first hour.
MrsPdubyah less than impressed with that. Also I now how to polish my shoes, another chore I'd forgotten about
Talking of Impulse buys.... Cut-throat razor.I'm not sure at which point that became a good idea in my head, but I went away and brought an entry level model that you use with disposable blades, the old school type of blades.
Anyway that's a terrible idea unless you have hours to shave. Also slicing a chunk of your face off doesn't have the desired effect on the ladies, and you have to make feeble excuses about why you look like you've been savaged by a mountain lion.
So a roller coaster of a thing, which I've shared for no reason. But then it's not a beer post so I feel I did ok.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Paleo Diet - The Flaws Of The 'Caveman' Diet
I read this and it makes more sense than the fad diet.
Paleo Diet | The Flaws Of The 'Caveman' Diet | Stuff.co.nz.
Particulalry this bit :
I think we mostly agree that less "processed" food would be desirable, and more in season vegetables would be nice. But better nutrition and health care have allowed us to live to 70, 80, 90 years old.
What the paleo types want is to have a fad diet that picks and chooses from a whole worlds worth of choices. You don't want to go the winter months with no Salad greens (assuming they had salad greens) or fruits, and exist only on nuts and whatever you managed to dry and store.
As an aside I wonder what a paleo banana looks like? (nothing at all like the yellow bendy fruit we have today)
You want product A that was from North America, with Product B from Middle Europe, and a Fish that comes from the coast of Iceland. Or something like that, just like Paleo man did.
Oh and paleo man lived to be a ripe old age of about 30.
Go for it if you've really thought it through, it's a cake and eat it diet.
Living like cave men, or at least eating like them, is being hailed by some as an ideal lifestyle. The paleo diet, based on the idea that our bodies have not adapted sufficiently to eat foods that weren't available 10,000 years ago, focuses on eating meat, fruits and vegetables and avoiding grains and dairy.
But evolutionary biologist Marlene Zuk says that idea is flawed.
Paleo Diet | The Flaws Of The 'Caveman' Diet | Stuff.co.nz.
Particulalry this bit :
Q. How much do we know about early human diets?
A. We don't really know what they were eating. It's turning out that they may have eaten more starch and carbohydrates than we had realised. They also ate different things in different parts of the world. ...
I think we mostly agree that less "processed" food would be desirable, and more in season vegetables would be nice. But better nutrition and health care have allowed us to live to 70, 80, 90 years old.
What the paleo types want is to have a fad diet that picks and chooses from a whole worlds worth of choices. You don't want to go the winter months with no Salad greens (assuming they had salad greens) or fruits, and exist only on nuts and whatever you managed to dry and store.
As an aside I wonder what a paleo banana looks like? (nothing at all like the yellow bendy fruit we have today)
You want product A that was from North America, with Product B from Middle Europe, and a Fish that comes from the coast of Iceland. Or something like that, just like Paleo man did.
Oh and paleo man lived to be a ripe old age of about 30.
Go for it if you've really thought it through, it's a cake and eat it diet.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The one with the budget
It's only in the last couple of years that I've had my own personal bank account. Since before being married MrsPdubyah and Me have had a joint bank account. Everything we do is based on a joint income. Seems fair and proper and works really well. We have joint credit cards too. No surprises in our finances.
But I have now got my own personal "stash of cash" in my own bank account. Monthly I pay myself pocket money from my salary. MrsPdubyah approves of this, as one debit means that she knows how much I have taken and does not tsk every time I do something random and buy something on impulse, or frown at the cost of the beer I'm buying. What the eyes can't see the heart can't grieve. Right.
I've added a few extra dollars in to the account, like when I've had a larger than expected commission payment, I give myself a "bonus" and of course there was some money from the estate of the deceased Mother.
And I've been good.
Except that I haven't been good at all. I downloaded the last 12 months of statements and had a set too with the spreadsheet. And then I got all surprised and a little worried about how much I had frittered unwisely.
The "Stash of Cash" isn't a big amount. I chose a number that would allow me to buy some beer without MrsPdubyah having a tizz about the price, and to be fair I drink less, and better beer, on the whole, than I used to. It was also an amount that should have allowed me to accrue some money for a bigger purchase eventually and with carefull management.
The bigger purchase is still a dream, the budget is in tatters. I hadn't realised just how much discretionary money goes on the Coffee purchases, That alone might have gone some way towards a new Tablet. The Takeaway food is a mix between my needy lunches and family take-away nights when it's all too hard to cook, Although that appears to be a lot more than just occasional.
Electronic gadgets oes include an Android phone for the daughter and a DVD player for the house.
The other big ticket was fancy foods for the home entertaining. These are things like expensive cuts of meats and fixings for a special dinner. I'm gad I do that and I will continue to do so, but as out family changes into a 3 adult house we've been buying better quality things in general, and there is less worse food in the house, Bread is a rare treat for instance, and I have a memory of Ice-cream going with fruit.
I've mentioned in passing to MrsPdubyah my findings, to which she said "don't you have anything better to do?" so I might have dodged a bullet. However since she is the Head of Entertainment and Finance my 2013 budget proposal had better be a good one if I'm to seek at least a cost of living rise in my pocket money.
But I have now got my own personal "stash of cash" in my own bank account. Monthly I pay myself pocket money from my salary. MrsPdubyah approves of this, as one debit means that she knows how much I have taken and does not tsk every time I do something random and buy something on impulse, or frown at the cost of the beer I'm buying. What the eyes can't see the heart can't grieve. Right.I've added a few extra dollars in to the account, like when I've had a larger than expected commission payment, I give myself a "bonus" and of course there was some money from the estate of the deceased Mother.
And I've been good.
Except that I haven't been good at all. I downloaded the last 12 months of statements and had a set too with the spreadsheet. And then I got all surprised and a little worried about how much I had frittered unwisely.
| Sports related things | -2% |
| Gifts for people | -2% |
| Online Auctions | -2% |
| Unfashionable Clothes | -3% |
| A Writing Pen | -3% |
| LP Records | -5% |
| Coffee from one particular café, and the Coffee van man | -9% |
| Food from specialty stores for the home entertaining | -11% |
| Takeaway food, and the Café lifestyle | -11% |
| Electronic Gadgets I had to have | -12% |
| Cash that I spent on who knows what | -12% |
| Beer from Stores | -25% |
The "Stash of Cash" isn't a big amount. I chose a number that would allow me to buy some beer without MrsPdubyah having a tizz about the price, and to be fair I drink less, and better beer, on the whole, than I used to. It was also an amount that should have allowed me to accrue some money for a bigger purchase eventually and with carefull management.
The bigger purchase is still a dream, the budget is in tatters. I hadn't realised just how much discretionary money goes on the Coffee purchases, That alone might have gone some way towards a new Tablet. The Takeaway food is a mix between my needy lunches and family take-away nights when it's all too hard to cook, Although that appears to be a lot more than just occasional.
Electronic gadgets oes include an Android phone for the daughter and a DVD player for the house.
The other big ticket was fancy foods for the home entertaining. These are things like expensive cuts of meats and fixings for a special dinner. I'm gad I do that and I will continue to do so, but as out family changes into a 3 adult house we've been buying better quality things in general, and there is less worse food in the house, Bread is a rare treat for instance, and I have a memory of Ice-cream going with fruit.
I've mentioned in passing to MrsPdubyah my findings, to which she said "don't you have anything better to do?" so I might have dodged a bullet. However since she is the Head of Entertainment and Finance my 2013 budget proposal had better be a good one if I'm to seek at least a cost of living rise in my pocket money.
Friday, December 28, 2012
The 12 ways of Christmas – The Holiday with the 'folks'
We're lucky enough to enjoy a beach house. We're lucky enough to have 'Christmas' in the summer months, being as how it's New Zealand and it's all the other way around.
As "workers" we work hard all year and get a couple of weeks off to do nothing, to laze about, twiddle thumbs, shower occasionally, eat, drink, eat, sleep, nap. It could be so nice.
But we're also unlucky enough to have parents who drive us madly insane. Not my parents, but the in-laws for me, the parents for MrsPdubyah.
They were school teachers and so eery year they would spend a goodly amount of weeks at the beach house. For them it's just another house, it's managed to acquire all the town house things and none of the beach house things.
You could transplant this house to a town and you'd never know. Now holiday homes are different, they are full of art, sea-shells, mis-matched furniture, rustic tables. We don't have one of those. The neighbours have those. The neighbours....
We have a house at the beach, and it's a harrowing experience to live though a week here. We used to be able to do 10-14 days, now we get to about 4 days and start getting a twitch. We've not had any days at the beach house when they are not here, we call as say "are you going to beach this weekend" they invariably reply "if you are we will", it's maddening, frustrating and difficult to broach.
Age will turn you into a prisoner. A prisoner of routine. Every day you have to do the same things. Up at 7am, washing in washing machine at 7:30am, go get newspaper at 7:45am. Cereals at 8 a.m. Washing the dishes is an immediate task, heaven help us if they are left for more than 10 minutes.
Then it's 9 a.m. so possibly mowing the lawn, picking fruit from the tree, spraying some weeds. 10 a.m. tea of course. 10:30 is mid morning siesta, because they've worn themselves out.
More washing at 11:00 am, they wash clean things to maintain schedule I'm sure of it. Random vacuuming and brushing time till lunch, when we have a selection of mulled over left overs and a cup of warm water.
Hourly switch on the radio at 30 seconds to the hour for the news bulletin, the log range weather for everywhere, then off. No music allowed, and don't change the channel, ever.
Afternoon siesta.
Discussion about what the neighbours are up to, who's at the beach, who's not, why, if we don't know why make a guess. Read the death notices to see which friends might have had the temerity to die when they're at the beach and not in town. It happens.
Gin o'clock, wine o'clock begins as the 6pm news is on the TV. Pre-dinner dishes, of course, washing dishes not cheese and cracker dishes.
Dinner must be before 7 pm. Fretting ensues if it's going to be later.
Entertain everyone by reading the teletext updates (A service soon to be discontinued).
Read book, coughing randomly until 9pm when it's bedtime.
Days when the gentleman's fishing club is in session, make an agreed time "how about around 7am" where "about" means up at 6:30 to prepare, leave at 7 am, no later, no sooner. Fishing line can only be in the water 1 hour. No longer, no shorter. 1 hour. Today I was suckered in with "whatever time" which meant of course 7:45am knocking on the door "are you ready yet" We didn't go fishing.
We didn't go fishing because on a 800 meter beach someone had launched a gentleman's fishing rig into the sea before us, and fretting and panic ensued about them being too close together. Serious fretting, muttering and followed by deep investigation of the mans credentials, home address, and a lecture about "how I do it..."
Fishing was also cancelled, no only to proximity, but because weed was spotted in the waves, and weed is bad. To make up for this disaster he burnt some paper and plastics instead of putting them out for rubbish collection, it's "what we had to do in the old days"
We've taken down the tent, it rained and wasn't used. Didn't let it dry now the weather has changed, took it down and stowed it wet. "It's what we had to do in the old days"
This evening we will again have a discussion about Teletext, the neighbours wi-fi and how it's intermittent (we have permission to use it, we're not totally freeloading", who's arrived, who's left, pontifications on the "Sales" the lack of Eggs in the house.
And tomorrow we will do it all again, in roughly the same order, amount of time, and with the same earnest face.
Not a holiday.
As "workers" we work hard all year and get a couple of weeks off to do nothing, to laze about, twiddle thumbs, shower occasionally, eat, drink, eat, sleep, nap. It could be so nice.
But we're also unlucky enough to have parents who drive us madly insane. Not my parents, but the in-laws for me, the parents for MrsPdubyah.
They were school teachers and so eery year they would spend a goodly amount of weeks at the beach house. For them it's just another house, it's managed to acquire all the town house things and none of the beach house things.
You could transplant this house to a town and you'd never know. Now holiday homes are different, they are full of art, sea-shells, mis-matched furniture, rustic tables. We don't have one of those. The neighbours have those. The neighbours....
We have a house at the beach, and it's a harrowing experience to live though a week here. We used to be able to do 10-14 days, now we get to about 4 days and start getting a twitch. We've not had any days at the beach house when they are not here, we call as say "are you going to beach this weekend" they invariably reply "if you are we will", it's maddening, frustrating and difficult to broach.
Age will turn you into a prisoner. A prisoner of routine. Every day you have to do the same things. Up at 7am, washing in washing machine at 7:30am, go get newspaper at 7:45am. Cereals at 8 a.m. Washing the dishes is an immediate task, heaven help us if they are left for more than 10 minutes.
Then it's 9 a.m. so possibly mowing the lawn, picking fruit from the tree, spraying some weeds. 10 a.m. tea of course. 10:30 is mid morning siesta, because they've worn themselves out.
More washing at 11:00 am, they wash clean things to maintain schedule I'm sure of it. Random vacuuming and brushing time till lunch, when we have a selection of mulled over left overs and a cup of warm water.
Hourly switch on the radio at 30 seconds to the hour for the news bulletin, the log range weather for everywhere, then off. No music allowed, and don't change the channel, ever.
Afternoon siesta.
Discussion about what the neighbours are up to, who's at the beach, who's not, why, if we don't know why make a guess. Read the death notices to see which friends might have had the temerity to die when they're at the beach and not in town. It happens.
Gin o'clock, wine o'clock begins as the 6pm news is on the TV. Pre-dinner dishes, of course, washing dishes not cheese and cracker dishes.
Dinner must be before 7 pm. Fretting ensues if it's going to be later.
Entertain everyone by reading the teletext updates (A service soon to be discontinued).
Read book, coughing randomly until 9pm when it's bedtime.
Days when the gentleman's fishing club is in session, make an agreed time "how about around 7am" where "about" means up at 6:30 to prepare, leave at 7 am, no later, no sooner. Fishing line can only be in the water 1 hour. No longer, no shorter. 1 hour. Today I was suckered in with "whatever time" which meant of course 7:45am knocking on the door "are you ready yet" We didn't go fishing.
We didn't go fishing because on a 800 meter beach someone had launched a gentleman's fishing rig into the sea before us, and fretting and panic ensued about them being too close together. Serious fretting, muttering and followed by deep investigation of the mans credentials, home address, and a lecture about "how I do it..."
Fishing was also cancelled, no only to proximity, but because weed was spotted in the waves, and weed is bad. To make up for this disaster he burnt some paper and plastics instead of putting them out for rubbish collection, it's "what we had to do in the old days"
We've taken down the tent, it rained and wasn't used. Didn't let it dry now the weather has changed, took it down and stowed it wet. "It's what we had to do in the old days"
This evening we will again have a discussion about Teletext, the neighbours wi-fi and how it's intermittent (we have permission to use it, we're not totally freeloading", who's arrived, who's left, pontifications on the "Sales" the lack of Eggs in the house.
And tomorrow we will do it all again, in roughly the same order, amount of time, and with the same earnest face.
Not a holiday.
Friday, November 16, 2012
The one with the dodgy kidney
I've been living with IgA nephropathy for since 1990 ish
I saw a medical man today, (5th November) Professor Ian Simpson, about it. It's been since 1998 since I've seen anyone, since I was discharged from the out care unit at Auckland Hospital, in factt. And so I've been doing this worrying about my kidneys since, and making sure I keep a regular check on them, and all that.
How did this come about, the referral all of a sudden, well that's a tale of two things. The second thing first.
My regular doctor changed buildings recently and as part of they hoof all all paper records to the new place, and in reviewing them when I went to see him last it came as a bit of a surprise to him that I had a "condition". So off I went with a referral.
Such a nice man, Professor Simpson, a conversational doctor, who told me by and by many things, gave me a bag of advice and a few warnings. I came away uplifted,
The kidneys, well I thought they'd been damaged by a virus thing, an upper respiratory infection, and ear ache of Brobdingnagian proportions and an sore throat is what I remember, it was long time ago 1990.
But! my kidneys are fine and dandy, everything I've been doing to look after them has been spot on, including the 6 monthly blood tests, and the medication.
All I have to do is lose about a gazillion kilograms and get a bit active. And he says I'll be on the right side of the longevity thing, uplifting or what!
In an update today it appears that Auckland DHB have lost my medical records including the slides or whatever of the biopsy that I had, but not to worry the general thing still stands that I'm in fine fettle, and need to focus a bit on me.
The upshot really though is that I've been living with a monkey on my back for a long time, a background nagging, but it appears that although I've been doing the wrong thing that I might not have been doing enough of the good things. So I can relax a bit about the state of the things, and move on.
I saw a medical man today, (5th November) Professor Ian Simpson, about it. It's been since 1998 since I've seen anyone, since I was discharged from the out care unit at Auckland Hospital, in factt. And so I've been doing this worrying about my kidneys since, and making sure I keep a regular check on them, and all that.
How did this come about, the referral all of a sudden, well that's a tale of two things. The second thing first.
My regular doctor changed buildings recently and as part of they hoof all all paper records to the new place, and in reviewing them when I went to see him last it came as a bit of a surprise to him that I had a "condition". So off I went with a referral.
Such a nice man, Professor Simpson, a conversational doctor, who told me by and by many things, gave me a bag of advice and a few warnings. I came away uplifted,
The kidneys, well I thought they'd been damaged by a virus thing, an upper respiratory infection, and ear ache of Brobdingnagian proportions and an sore throat is what I remember, it was long time ago 1990.
But! my kidneys are fine and dandy, everything I've been doing to look after them has been spot on, including the 6 monthly blood tests, and the medication.
All I have to do is lose about a gazillion kilograms and get a bit active. And he says I'll be on the right side of the longevity thing, uplifting or what!
In an update today it appears that Auckland DHB have lost my medical records including the slides or whatever of the biopsy that I had, but not to worry the general thing still stands that I'm in fine fettle, and need to focus a bit on me.
The upshot really though is that I've been living with a monkey on my back for a long time, a background nagging, but it appears that although I've been doing the wrong thing that I might not have been doing enough of the good things. So I can relax a bit about the state of the things, and move on.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The less of me - revisited
I started with the good intention, in June, the walking, for the weight loss, the general fitness, the sense of wellbeing and accomplishment , and all the good things that that brings.
Well I started, then I broke a toe, then life happened and that. So... some excuses later, and fast forward from June 14 to November 10, and I know you're thinking what-the-hey, thats like 5 months, and you'd be right there. But life indeed was happening and sometimes that intrudes on your good intentions.
Summer is here and we're off again.
This time though I upgraded from the Nike+ Sportband to the Nike+ GPS watch. Which altogether appeals more to my sense of big brother wathching me.
And full of the enthusiasm I was faster today than the previous efforts, to be fair it is warmer, I'm wearing less clothes and I have new motivation.
Can I keep it up though. Only I can know and only I can let me down.
Well I started, then I broke a toe, then life happened and that. So... some excuses later, and fast forward from June 14 to November 10, and I know you're thinking what-the-hey, thats like 5 months, and you'd be right there. But life indeed was happening and sometimes that intrudes on your good intentions.Summer is here and we're off again.
This time though I upgraded from the Nike+ Sportband to the Nike+ GPS watch. Which altogether appeals more to my sense of big brother wathching me.
And full of the enthusiasm I was faster today than the previous efforts, to be fair it is warmer, I'm wearing less clothes and I have new motivation.
Can I keep it up though. Only I can know and only I can let me down.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Two Funerals and a wondering
To be honest it's been a few funerals, but specifically I'm thrown off by axis by one of which was this week, the other from 1988.
This week the funeral of a friend, Des Tierney, a good bastard by any measure. If I end up half a good a bastard then I'll be spectacular. No one exemplified the meaning of community than Des. There won't be a million words or books written about Des, and that's a pity in some regards, but he'll be an oral legend, around these and other parts.
The other funeral, my Father. The one I didn't go to because I just moved to New Zealand, in 1987.
The thing that links them? Well in the sadness of things they both died before they were 60.
And why then would I be thrown into the funk that I have. Well I'm not getting any younger, and I'm now contemplating, as I did with some incredulity at 16, as being as old as my dad. Except now that the words "when he died" are added on the end.
So why should I panic about the age my father died? He was a heavy smoker with a sedentary lifestyle, it's not the way I am. And how does the passing of a friend conflate a story to make it a doom.
In a normal thinking they don't. But as your own mortality, and your own perception of that mortality changes you begin to fret. I spoke to a couple of of me friends about this, and they get it, what I'm feeling, they didn't laugh, they just compared theirs to mine, and we all agreed that it was a nothing. It is what it is, there is no binary thing going on, that event A does not meant that it will equal a similar event A for me, or them.
So now here I am wondering why it is that I never owned a Lotus Elite Turbo, and E-Type Jaguar. A 1967 Mustang fastback , or a V8 anything, and it's not like that would define me in anyway. It might bring me immediate pleasure, and the added angst of maintaining and paying for it.
I'm now wondering why I never went home to England and abandoned almost everything to a new country, like no one ever did that, but I've not been home, not am I likely to go home, and I left in 1987. And yes it's still home. Go figure.
Do I think people will tell grand stories about me when I die? You're having a laugh, the most heroic I've been was when never. Should I worry about that?
So a life just as ordinary. A fear and doubt. A surprise? There are many things in my head, and a weight on my shoulder that has descended for no reason other than self.
But if I had a motto to live by it would be "this too shall pass", and it will. Might get that as a tattoo.
This week the funeral of a friend, Des Tierney, a good bastard by any measure. If I end up half a good a bastard then I'll be spectacular. No one exemplified the meaning of community than Des. There won't be a million words or books written about Des, and that's a pity in some regards, but he'll be an oral legend, around these and other parts.
The other funeral, my Father. The one I didn't go to because I just moved to New Zealand, in 1987.
The thing that links them? Well in the sadness of things they both died before they were 60.
And why then would I be thrown into the funk that I have. Well I'm not getting any younger, and I'm now contemplating, as I did with some incredulity at 16, as being as old as my dad. Except now that the words "when he died" are added on the end.
So why should I panic about the age my father died? He was a heavy smoker with a sedentary lifestyle, it's not the way I am. And how does the passing of a friend conflate a story to make it a doom.
In a normal thinking they don't. But as your own mortality, and your own perception of that mortality changes you begin to fret. I spoke to a couple of of me friends about this, and they get it, what I'm feeling, they didn't laugh, they just compared theirs to mine, and we all agreed that it was a nothing. It is what it is, there is no binary thing going on, that event A does not meant that it will equal a similar event A for me, or them.
So now here I am wondering why it is that I never owned a Lotus Elite Turbo, and E-Type Jaguar. A 1967 Mustang fastback , or a V8 anything, and it's not like that would define me in anyway. It might bring me immediate pleasure, and the added angst of maintaining and paying for it.
I'm now wondering why I never went home to England and abandoned almost everything to a new country, like no one ever did that, but I've not been home, not am I likely to go home, and I left in 1987. And yes it's still home. Go figure.
Do I think people will tell grand stories about me when I die? You're having a laugh, the most heroic I've been was when never. Should I worry about that?
So a life just as ordinary. A fear and doubt. A surprise? There are many things in my head, and a weight on my shoulder that has descended for no reason other than self.
But if I had a motto to live by it would be "this too shall pass", and it will. Might get that as a tattoo.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
One massive mistake - two stories - natural health.
Two stories in the media today outlining the lead up to the death of a woman from an invasive brain tumor having been under the care of a quack, charlatan, confidence trickster.
Naturopath failed cancer patient - National - NZ Herald News.
Natural Health Treatment For 18 Months, Despite... | Stuff.co.nz.
One story lays bare the facts, including names:-
A naturopath who treated a woman for 18 months while an invasive cancer ate through her skull has been heavily criticised for not deferring to doctors.
Te Horo iridologist Ruth Nelson may face Human Rights Tribunal action over her treatment of Yvonne Maine, who sought treatment for what she believed was a cyst on her head in 2008.
Mrs Nelson carried out a variety of natural health treatments over the next 18 months, as the invasive carcinoma grew to 10cm by 11cm in size.
The other skirts the issue:-
A natural health practitioner treated a woman with a lesion on her head for 18 months, even though the practitioner recognised from the beginning that the lesion "looked cancerous".
The provider did not retain any records of the care she provided and no other health practitioner treated the woman's lesion during that time.
Despite being aware that the lesion was likely to be cancerous, the provider did not inform the woman of her opinions about the severity of the woman's condition or that the lesion was worsening during the course of the treatment, the HDC said.
I'm pretty sure this is the same story, with different spins by the media. One does not appear to hold back and name names, the other plays the story in a "we've heard" kind of way.
As far as I know anyone can be an Iridolgist - it's an alternative medicine technique whose proponents claim that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about a patient's systemic health. Practitioners match their observations to iris charts, which divide the iris into zones that correspond to specific parts of the human body. Iridologists see the eyes as "windows" into the body's state of health.
or I might even get into a bit of Naturopathy, or Naturopathic Medicine, is a type of alternative medicine based on a belief in vitalism, which posits that a special energy called vital energy or vital force guides bodily processes such as metabolism, reproduction, growth, and adaptation
How this isn't at one end manslaughter or even assault I can't figure out. If the "provider of care" couldn't provide care, but was taking money, not keeping records, and avoiding sending someone to a proper doctor with proper qualifications I don't know what it is you can be held responsible for. She may not have lived if she'd been a a qualified medical practitioner, but there would be records, and multiple opinions, not a quick glance in the eye, a fear of hospitals and some nonsense about "windows"
I'm convinced that there will be a lot of people who have faith and anecdotal evidence that looking in the eyes can cure you, that there is some "vital energy" that you can be tapped, the same people that think Reiki works, or that Acupuncture can clear your meridians, and that Ear Candles are effective in something or other. You all need to question why you have only "faith" and that you'll rely on an old wives tale as appropriate medicine.
Shame to you.
Related articles
- The insinuation of naturopathic quackery into law [Respectful Insolence] (scienceblogs.com)
- Iridology Update (theness.com)
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Faith, Same sex marriage, and Children.
New Zealand is on track to remove barriers to same sex marriages. We have Civil Union legislation, but this is a sort of half-way house thing. Removing an arbitrary sex based barrier to marriage is of it's time.
However those of the faith and the religiosity have got their collective underpants all bunched and they're going to come out swinging on a number of 'points'.
And they are all nonsense. And they are all nonsense because there is not one logical argument that could be put forward that would or could justify their position. Not a one.
"Marriage is between a man and women" Since when? Since a when the 'church' decided to Ponce up some ceremony and add some bells and whistles is a when. The church is big on dogma and protocol. But I can't find any evidence that before the church decided to dress up a ceremony that marriage wasn't a thing. I can't find any evidence that before the church decided to restrict it's 'blessing' that all marriages were between men and women.
Historically then a marriage was a means to ensure a continuance. That is all. If you had not confirmed or announced partner then you had no estate to pass. Marriage brought with it some assurances.The churches brought with it dogma, and protocol and restriction.
It beggars belief that you would refer to an ancient book of myth and stories to cherry pick what your faith is. Sure the Bible might say "husband" and "wife" but it doesn't as far as I know define the gender of either in terms of what constitutes a "marriage".
The restriction or constriction is therefore one made up by the church and religion as a method of control.
In New Zealand we have out share of conservative doom-sayers
I don't mind having it on record that the idea of two men having responsibility for a child is a little beyond me. I couldn't do it. I assisted with a more maternal and capable mother in raising our children from birth. But I am talking about baby children, not toddlers, or schoolers, or teens. I don't have the same doubt about females raising children. Call me a bigot if you like, but I have first hand experience of a woman raising our child and she did a great job. I'd hire her again :-)
I have no idea what feeling or compulsions you have a person in relation to children and your level of altruism in wanting to look after, nurture and care for a child. I just don't.
I have my understanding. I have an idea of what is acceptable and required from my experience, and I have the insight from a number of people who I've associated with who've raised children. I have experience.
Just because I don't think I could does not mean I don't think you should. It might make you shudder, cringe and gasp. It doesn't mean that you can't raise a child as a parent. To have any other position on this indicates you live your life in a cave. There are lots of children raised by single parents. There are heaps raised by same sex parents, mostly female I'd wager.
The world did not stop when Elton John and David Furness adopted a child. Money makes it better or acceptable? Get a grip.
However those of the faith and the religiosity have got their collective underpants all bunched and they're going to come out swinging on a number of 'points'.
And they are all nonsense. And they are all nonsense because there is not one logical argument that could be put forward that would or could justify their position. Not a one.
"Marriage is between a man and women" Since when? Since a when the 'church' decided to Ponce up some ceremony and add some bells and whistles is a when. The church is big on dogma and protocol. But I can't find any evidence that before the church decided to dress up a ceremony that marriage wasn't a thing. I can't find any evidence that before the church decided to restrict it's 'blessing' that all marriages were between men and women.
In different ancient cultures, marriage was more of a business arrangement, joining families together for mutual benefit. Under Roman law in the first centuries of the Common Era, there were proper opportunities for divorce and the dissolution of a marital union for both parties. However, as the Christian church grew, marriage became more ecclesiastically governed; the church dictated the rules of marriage.
Historically then a marriage was a means to ensure a continuance. That is all. If you had not confirmed or announced partner then you had no estate to pass. Marriage brought with it some assurances.The churches brought with it dogma, and protocol and restriction.
Same-sex marriage is rejected as un-Christian and immoral on the basis of a myopic reading of a very few Biblical texts. And the texts in question are scant indeed.
The most referenced texts are Genesis 19; the holiness codes of Leviticus 17-26, and in the New Testament, Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:9 and his Letter to the Romans 1:26-27.
Not only does one have to "hunt" for references to same-sex practices, but there are no gospel texts that treat the matter.
There is nothing attributed to Jesus of Nazareth that has anything to do with same-sex orientation. According to the gospels, Jesus never commented on same-sex practices; that fact certainly bears repeating to anyone criticizing the gay community on Christian grounds.
Largely, same-sex practice is a topic of little interest to the Biblical authors.
It beggars belief that you would refer to an ancient book of myth and stories to cherry pick what your faith is. Sure the Bible might say "husband" and "wife" but it doesn't as far as I know define the gender of either in terms of what constitutes a "marriage".
The restriction or constriction is therefore one made up by the church and religion as a method of control.
Children
In New Zealand we have out share of conservative doom-sayers
Conservative Party leader Colin Craig said he was planning a "research-based" campaign on the advantages of heterosexual relationships and traditional family structures.
"I'm keen to be part of a campaign to get out there on this issue. It would look intelligently at the differences between homosexual parenting and a Mum and a Dad. Does gender matter, does role-modelling matter?
I don't mind having it on record that the idea of two men having responsibility for a child is a little beyond me. I couldn't do it. I assisted with a more maternal and capable mother in raising our children from birth. But I am talking about baby children, not toddlers, or schoolers, or teens. I don't have the same doubt about females raising children. Call me a bigot if you like, but I have first hand experience of a woman raising our child and she did a great job. I'd hire her again :-)
I have no idea what feeling or compulsions you have a person in relation to children and your level of altruism in wanting to look after, nurture and care for a child. I just don't.
I have my understanding. I have an idea of what is acceptable and required from my experience, and I have the insight from a number of people who I've associated with who've raised children. I have experience.
Just because I don't think I could does not mean I don't think you should. It might make you shudder, cringe and gasp. It doesn't mean that you can't raise a child as a parent. To have any other position on this indicates you live your life in a cave. There are lots of children raised by single parents. There are heaps raised by same sex parents, mostly female I'd wager.
The world did not stop when Elton John and David Furness adopted a child. Money makes it better or acceptable? Get a grip.
Related articles
- Key will back early stages of gay marriage bill (radionz.co.nz)
- Same sex marriage bill delights gay community (radionz.co.nz)
- Gay marriage to be legalised in Scotland despite two thirds of people opposing change (telegraph.co.uk)
- Gay marriage in Scotland is a 'dangerous experiment', says Catholic Church (independent.co.uk)
Thursday, July 26, 2012
The one about Kim Dotcom
Kim Dotcom, born Kim Schmitz is a colourful larger than life character. He even lives local to me. But he is a rogue, and has done knowing and wilful things.
Putting aside the rights and wrongs of his arrest and the actions or inactions of the NZ Police / FBI et al which is a whole other story, there is the nagging thing about Megaupload that to me sticks out as knowing and wilful.
He's even constructed a website www.kim.com, and is has a handy FAQ page http://kim.com/scandal
On on that page you can find an indication of one of the cornerstones of the case against him. Contained in Questions/Answers/Facts #2 and #6
So, if two people uploaded the same file Megaupload would keep only one version of the file but generate two unique url links to that file, one for each user. If 10, 100 or 1000 people uploaded the same file there would be one instance of the file stored and 10, 100 or 1000 unique URL links to it.
So if the unique URL was being shared as a link to a copyright holder item then Megaupload allowed that URL link to be deleted, or taken down.
Not the file deleted, just the link to the file. So perhaps 10,100 or 1000 unique URL still remained pointing to that file.
There then seems to be a conflict between knowing what files are duplicates of other files, since clearly they boast that technology, but then to somehow with a straight face say well we've deleted the link therefore no infringement.
Reading the indictment documentation it seems apparent that various people at Megaupload were aware of the nature of the files being stored and were sharing them internally for use, and not removing the offending files, rather just the public links to them. Sure not having a URL does not allow me to download a file that has copyright claim against it, but that there might have been 10, 100 or 1,000 unique URL's available to that file kind of negates the holier-than-thou thing going on.
Good on Kim for engaging a public relations exercise, he's setting himself up to be a people's person, a mans man, a wronged individual.
Sadly I don't buy it. I have sympathy for his plight, and I'm not exactly engaged with the ethics of the arrest/seizure, but I am sure that there was knowing and there was wilful.
Putting aside the rights and wrongs of his arrest and the actions or inactions of the NZ Police / FBI et al which is a whole other story, there is the nagging thing about Megaupload that to me sticks out as knowing and wilful.
He's even constructed a website www.kim.com, and is has a handy FAQ page http://kim.com/scandal
On on that page you can find an indication of one of the cornerstones of the case against him. Contained in Questions/Answers/Facts #2 and #6
2. How did Megaupload use technology to maximise Storage Efficiency?
Megaupload, similar to other large cloud storage providers that rely on efficient data storage like Dropbox, was designed to store a single useable copy of each unique file uploaded to its servers. If multiple users uploaded identical files, Megaupload would retain one instance of the file, and generate a unique link for each individual user, called a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”). One user might choose to keep his unique link private; another user might wish to share his link with others via email or by embedding it in a webpage such as a blog post.
So, if two people uploaded the same file Megaupload would keep only one version of the file but generate two unique url links to that file, one for each user. If 10, 100 or 1000 people uploaded the same file there would be one instance of the file stored and 10, 100 or 1000 unique URL links to it.
6. Did Megaupload honor takedown notices?
Megaupload processed takedown notices swiftly and efficiently. Megaupload went beyond the ordinary and used technology to speed up the take down process. For example trusted parties including major Hollywood entities received access to an innovative real-time direct takedown web tool.
Megaupload negotiated with major copyright holders or their agents—including the Recording Industry Association of America, Disney, Warner Brothers, NBC, and Microsoft—to allow them access to take down directly, in an automated manner, an active link to material they believed infringed their copyrights. Megaupload was commended by Hollywood organizations for its take down processes.
So if the unique URL was being shared as a link to a copyright holder item then Megaupload allowed that URL link to be deleted, or taken down.
Not the file deleted, just the link to the file. So perhaps 10,100 or 1000 unique URL still remained pointing to that file.
There then seems to be a conflict between knowing what files are duplicates of other files, since clearly they boast that technology, but then to somehow with a straight face say well we've deleted the link therefore no infringement.
Reading the indictment documentation it seems apparent that various people at Megaupload were aware of the nature of the files being stored and were sharing them internally for use, and not removing the offending files, rather just the public links to them. Sure not having a URL does not allow me to download a file that has copyright claim against it, but that there might have been 10, 100 or 1,000 unique URL's available to that file kind of negates the holier-than-thou thing going on.
Good on Kim for engaging a public relations exercise, he's setting himself up to be a people's person, a mans man, a wronged individual.
Sadly I don't buy it. I have sympathy for his plight, and I'm not exactly engaged with the ethics of the arrest/seizure, but I am sure that there was knowing and there was wilful.
Related articles
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Unhappy Families – at least you can pick your friends - it continues.
I was all "Woe is me" recently, it'd been about 15 months since the mother died, and coming from a widely dispersed family settling the estate was proving a problem. The first problem was that there wasn't a will.
The death was sudden and without suffering, and the fact that there was no will shouldn't be a surprise. If you knew the family you'd know there was no surprise.
So as one of the furthest away from home I'm also the one who makes the most noise. As you do.
Some of the family were so self absorbed as to be able to say "we don't need the money it'll work it's way out", and this is fine but alas things don't just happen. I was a bit pointed when I remarked that the fact that although money might not be needed by them, it might be useful to someone else, like an old people's refuge, or a injured service mans charity, for instance. Bit of a cad really.
I got a rightful serve by the family, who thought I was picking a fight and making an accusation of lazy, or worse. I felt a bit down about it to be honest. All I wanted was to resolve the estate and to let everyone get on with their disparate lives.
We're not a close family and despite a few attempts we are never going to have a reconciliation or a get together, just ain't going to happen.
But wait.... since then, younger brother has got his wriggle on, and has sworn an allegiance to the queen or whatever it is you have to do in front of a judge, and has managed to secure a deed of probate which essentially means he is in control. FTW!
So the Letters of Administration will be issued and he will be in a position to make the Bank give up their secrets and allows him the power to withdraw the funds and that, essentially close the estate and divvy up the proceeds.
Except..... #1 sister is playing hard to get. This is the sister who spent a lot of time with the mother, and has made a big effort to make the funeral happen and to tidy up the edges. But at the same time #1 sister made some huge judgment calls about trinkets and trivia that benefitted those close. Don't get me wrong these might have been the right calls and I'm not disputing or going to question it.
But there is some paperwork and some forms that need to be sent from A to B, and so far that hasn't happened. Which is a can't or won't thing. I'm not saying that there is nefariousness or underhand at play, and I think that whatever is afoot is played out daily with family estates everywhere. nothing new, no new stories.
But what it does mean is that the mothers estate might only be a couple of months away from settled, and then the family can settle down to it's own life again.
The death was sudden and without suffering, and the fact that there was no will shouldn't be a surprise. If you knew the family you'd know there was no surprise.
So as one of the furthest away from home I'm also the one who makes the most noise. As you do.
Some of the family were so self absorbed as to be able to say "we don't need the money it'll work it's way out", and this is fine but alas things don't just happen. I was a bit pointed when I remarked that the fact that although money might not be needed by them, it might be useful to someone else, like an old people's refuge, or a injured service mans charity, for instance. Bit of a cad really.
I got a rightful serve by the family, who thought I was picking a fight and making an accusation of lazy, or worse. I felt a bit down about it to be honest. All I wanted was to resolve the estate and to let everyone get on with their disparate lives.
We're not a close family and despite a few attempts we are never going to have a reconciliation or a get together, just ain't going to happen.
But wait.... since then, younger brother has got his wriggle on, and has sworn an allegiance to the queen or whatever it is you have to do in front of a judge, and has managed to secure a deed of probate which essentially means he is in control. FTW!
So the Letters of Administration will be issued and he will be in a position to make the Bank give up their secrets and allows him the power to withdraw the funds and that, essentially close the estate and divvy up the proceeds.
Except..... #1 sister is playing hard to get. This is the sister who spent a lot of time with the mother, and has made a big effort to make the funeral happen and to tidy up the edges. But at the same time #1 sister made some huge judgment calls about trinkets and trivia that benefitted those close. Don't get me wrong these might have been the right calls and I'm not disputing or going to question it.
But there is some paperwork and some forms that need to be sent from A to B, and so far that hasn't happened. Which is a can't or won't thing. I'm not saying that there is nefariousness or underhand at play, and I think that whatever is afoot is played out daily with family estates everywhere. nothing new, no new stories.
But what it does mean is that the mothers estate might only be a couple of months away from settled, and then the family can settle down to it's own life again.
Related articles
- Unhappy Families - at least you can pick your friends. (pdubyah.com)
- Wills and Estates are not for the deceased, but the family left behind. (sassinannasworld.wordpress.com)
- Avoid these 4 awkward issues when drafting a will (business.financialpost.com)
Friday, April 27, 2012
Unhappy Families - at least you can pick your friends.
My mother died just over a year ago March 2011, and despite her age suddenly, and without a will.
I'm from what would now be considered a large family of 8 children (5 boys, 3 girls) and I count myself as Number Six.
#3 child, the eldest sister and her daughter remained the closest, geographically, and spent a lot of time with mother through the years.
The rest of the family dispersed itself to parts afar and wide, myself in New Zealand, #1 Son in Australia, others to Derby, others to Norfolk, a bit all over the place really. There is even a missing person, the youngest of the family Stewart who one day just stopped talking to #3 sister( #5 child) and hasn't been heard of since.
To say we're not a close family is a bit of an understatement. And I bet this has never happened to anyone who lost a parent;
It's difficult being so far away to be judgemental, but the anger and angst that that causes is palpable and drives a wedge in the family that doesn't need to exist.
Trying to get even a guesstimate on the remaining monetary value of the estate (bank accounts, insurances etc) has proved impossible, everyone has a figure in mind, and they're all different. If someone knows then they're not saying, and trying to get a bank to disclose anything is a mission.
I know it's only a year, and I know that resolution of someone who has dies intestate may take time to resolve. The will of the family however appears to be questionable. We're not close (did I mention that) and by-and-large it seems that at least 5 out of the 8 children (can't speak for the missing one) are financially not challenged enough to want to pursue this more vigorously.
My points of contention and - if you like - anger are around who's doing what? and why are we all waiting for someone else in the family to do something?. And that someone else, why don't they email the rest of us to tell us what's going on? To which a couple of answers, one of which I already mentioned, financially it makes no difference.
Secondly there is a thing called "life" that gets in the way, the birthdays, the holidays, the parties. the getting on with life in general. A day becomes a week, becomes a month, becomes 3 months, it just happens. No one is to blame.
However, whilst a few hundred or a thousand pounds/dollars might not make a difference one way or another to me (or at least 4 others in the family) it might make a difference to the other 3. IT might make a difference to a charity organisation, a sheltered accommodation group, a women's refuge. It's just in the way you look at it as to how to decide if if makes a difference.
I fear that getting to a resolution is going to cause more rifts than it cures, and for an already estranged family it might yet get just that bit stranger.
I need to say that if my family are reading this - it's not about you, it's about the way I feel about it, remember offence is taken not given, and you can choose.
I'm from what would now be considered a large family of 8 children (5 boys, 3 girls) and I count myself as Number Six.
#3 child, the eldest sister and her daughter remained the closest, geographically, and spent a lot of time with mother through the years.
The rest of the family dispersed itself to parts afar and wide, myself in New Zealand, #1 Son in Australia, others to Derby, others to Norfolk, a bit all over the place really. There is even a missing person, the youngest of the family Stewart who one day just stopped talking to #3 sister( #5 child) and hasn't been heard of since.
To say we're not a close family is a bit of an understatement. And I bet this has never happened to anyone who lost a parent;
"When we all arrived at your mums on the day of her funeral <...> had already cleared the property and all that was left were photographs and bric-a-brac. Anything of any alleged monetary value was gone"
It's difficult being so far away to be judgemental, but the anger and angst that that causes is palpable and drives a wedge in the family that doesn't need to exist.
Trying to get even a guesstimate on the remaining monetary value of the estate (bank accounts, insurances etc) has proved impossible, everyone has a figure in mind, and they're all different. If someone knows then they're not saying, and trying to get a bank to disclose anything is a mission.
I know it's only a year, and I know that resolution of someone who has dies intestate may take time to resolve. The will of the family however appears to be questionable. We're not close (did I mention that) and by-and-large it seems that at least 5 out of the 8 children (can't speak for the missing one) are financially not challenged enough to want to pursue this more vigorously.
My points of contention and - if you like - anger are around who's doing what? and why are we all waiting for someone else in the family to do something?. And that someone else, why don't they email the rest of us to tell us what's going on? To which a couple of answers, one of which I already mentioned, financially it makes no difference.
Secondly there is a thing called "life" that gets in the way, the birthdays, the holidays, the parties. the getting on with life in general. A day becomes a week, becomes a month, becomes 3 months, it just happens. No one is to blame.
However, whilst a few hundred or a thousand pounds/dollars might not make a difference one way or another to me (or at least 4 others in the family) it might make a difference to the other 3. IT might make a difference to a charity organisation, a sheltered accommodation group, a women's refuge. It's just in the way you look at it as to how to decide if if makes a difference.
I fear that getting to a resolution is going to cause more rifts than it cures, and for an already estranged family it might yet get just that bit stranger.
I need to say that if my family are reading this - it's not about you, it's about the way I feel about it, remember offence is taken not given, and you can choose.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Contemplation on a middle aged life.
It's not like I ever thought I would have some understated life, a bohemian devil may care existence. But it gets to a point when all around you it's gone a bit squiffy,
At the moment:
It apparently it not enough having to had to go to three funerals in the last year, but right now, this week it just seems to be stacking up, like some weird cosmic bottle-neck. I get that as you get older that life catches up, but heck it's not like I'm zimmer frame old, so just stop alright.
Bizarrely then with a frozen shoulder I'm possibly the fittest person I know. And that's a scary thought in and of itself. (and it's clearly not true). But somehow the circle of life appears to be on the homeward journey and I might have mentioned it before that I'm just a bit not ready.
So tonight a beer or two, and some quiet reflection is in order. As for this feeling of hopelessness and puzzlement, I'm hoping that this too shall pass.
At the moment:
- Mother in Law was in hospital with suspected clotting, however it turns out that it was only bakers cyst. That and the osteoarthritis. Which for a golfer isn't helpful.
- I have a close friend in hospital awaiting corrective surgery on a neck surgery that sort of didn't go to plan.
- There is a close family friend who is undergoing surgery at the moment to remove some tumors he has.
- There is a close family friend who has the C thing.
- Mrs Pdubyah, well her manager not only has her father in hospital having suffered a stroke but she's been told that he's on a DNR notice. (Do Not Resuscitate), and if that wasn't bad enough today her brother died of basically being an alcoholic.
It apparently it not enough having to had to go to three funerals in the last year, but right now, this week it just seems to be stacking up, like some weird cosmic bottle-neck. I get that as you get older that life catches up, but heck it's not like I'm zimmer frame old, so just stop alright.
Bizarrely then with a frozen shoulder I'm possibly the fittest person I know. And that's a scary thought in and of itself. (and it's clearly not true). But somehow the circle of life appears to be on the homeward journey and I might have mentioned it before that I'm just a bit not ready.
So tonight a beer or two, and some quiet reflection is in order. As for this feeling of hopelessness and puzzlement, I'm hoping that this too shall pass.
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