Just a brief not to say I am still here.

Hello all and yes I am still about. It is amazing that this momentous year is rapidly drawing to a close. We all naturally make wishes that 2009 will be better than the last one, routinely make resolutions that are so quickly discarded. Personally I know that my life is going to dramatically change and you will eventually find out what it will be.

Robin

Wednesday's Reflections.

OK I must admit that I really didn't see the items about the atrocities
commited in Jos, Nigeria at the same time frame as the Mumbai massacre.

At least 400 people were killed on Friday, and more than 7,000 were forced to flee their homes in this central Nigerian city after angry Christian and Muslim mobs protested what they said were rigged local election results. In what turned out to be a short-lived but brutal rampage, groups of young men killed residents and burned down homes churches, mosques and schools. 1)

Andre you are right for chastising me for ignoring this terrible massacre which was largely ignored by the Australian media. Africa does not figure prominently in the Australian media and coverage of this was also sparse on the cable network news.

It makes me wonder what will be the focus of the incoming Barack Obama Administration , compared to the present incumbent with regard to African issues. The nomination of Hilary Clinton as Secretary of State-designate seems odd to say the least. I really wonder how long it will last or if she will pass the gruelling confirmation process.

Robin

1)http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hwzhFjSgnKOkPAmGjOcsFcfs_PyA

More thoughts on the Mumbai massacre

December has arrived and the second day of summer feels more like Winter. It has been very windy here with frequent rain squalls.

It is frightening to read that there were ten to a dozen gunmen who caused so much grief and anguish in Mumbai (Bombay) last week. Almost 200 people were killed in this terrorist outrage which lasted for three days. The aim apparently was to trigger an all-out war between India and Pakistan. One report said that there were also casualties caught in the crossfire between the terrorists and the various security forces. It also has emerged that the terrorists did not hold any hostages but immediately killed them. One report in an Indian press report claims that the terrorists aim was to inflict 5,000 casualties. It certainly looks as if Al Qaeda was involved, probably through a proxy outfit.

As I remarked in my last post, we did briefly stopover in Bombay as it was then called in 1979. This was on our way to and from Europe and all we saw was the very dingy and unkempt transit lounge. I realise that Bombay has changed since then but it is sad hundreds of innocent people had to needlessly suffer from the actions of of a band of terrorists with the aim of pushing the region into all-out nuclear war.

Robin

Yes I am still about.

I really feel guilty that I have not posted in quite a while. I was going to give Tasmanian politicians another blast but decided they were not worth all that pent-up hot air.

I like millions across the World have been appalled at the carnage in Mumbai. I have transited through Bombay Airport as it was known in 1979 twice on the way to and from Europe.My enduring memory was how hot it was and the very unusual odours there. Also I recollect seeing the old telephones there one used to see at the turn of the 20th century. We were only on the ground for a few hours and we didn't see anything really except the transit lounge.

I have decided to contribute more often to this blog. It is only because I have been too lazy to write and yet I have plenty to comment about.

Robin L. Harwood

I hate being ripped off

I really hate being ripped off. A few weeks ago I was prescribed a hayfever relief spray that costs $55 AUD and tonight I found the same product was only $13.50 from an online pharmacy on the Gold Coast. Postage was under $6. It is currently on special apparently but is for 120 doses, compared to the 240 doses I have been prescribed. Even so what a discrepancy in price.Anyway I have enough for 4 months
so no need to get it now but will remember next season

Be careful investigating print and online ads especially relating to so-called Mens' health products.A friend of mine was recently interested a full page spread advertising treatment for an age- related personal problem. I warned him that I was extremely skeptical over their published claims as they sounded too good to be true. I did some investigations on the web and found out the treatments cost under $450 AUD. From the product description it sounds similar to another questionable outfit which fell foul of the the ACCC over deceptive advertising. I recommended he stick to his GP and his advice and not be taken in newspaper and online adverts.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

I was absolutely appalled to witness the unholy sight of two branches of Christendom, brawling at the site of Christ's tomb and where he was resurrected. To see Israeli police wade in and arrest priests who were really going hammer and tongs at each other, just feet away from the holiest shrine. There are over 6 different branches of the Christian church who cannot agree on administrating the site and they have been unable to reach any consensus ever.
No wonder this has brought ridicule on Christianity. They really should be ashamed of themselves.

(1)http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7718587.stm

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre

The Election of Barack Obama.

It was truly amazing watching history unfold before my eyes yesterday afternoon. It was exciting watching the election of Barack Obama as the President-designate of the USA. It became an extremely emotional experience , seeing Obama win so conclusively and on his own merits. We kept thinking back exactly 40 years to the assassination of Martin Luther King, the African-American civil rights leader. Just a few hours before he was killed, he prophetically saw the day when a black man would be elected to be President.

There were tears streaming down the face of Jesse Jackson, who was standing next to Dr. King when he was shot in 1968. Oprah Winfrey was crying and laughing and millions of ordinary Americans of African heritage wept unashamedly and joyously celebrated. It was a truly historic moment, not only for America but the entire World.

I remember seeing the funeral for Dr. Martin Luther King in Atlanta and three months later , the assasination of Robert Kennedy and his moving funeral. I remember seeing Man land on the Moon and watched live on TV as Neil Armstrong stepped out of the capsule on the Moon's surface and took that one small step for Man. I saw the the news that Princess Diana had died in Paris so tragically in a car accident while being relentlessly chased by the papparazzi.

I was woken up one Wednesday morning to the news that over 10,000 people were believed to be killed from a terrorist act in New York and was transfixed as all of us were by the horrific images on our TV screens. Although the number of those killed was almost three thousand, this horrible episode has forever changed our lives and made us all feel extremely vulnerable. 9-11 will never be forgotten, nor should it.

The election of Barack Obama has also changed the world's perception of America,. giving hope and a new direction for tomorrow. It is historic because millions of ordinary Americans saw in him the vehicle for change and a way out of the current economic malaise, which has gripped America and the World. I only hope he gets the right personell around him to support him and very wise counsel to guide him and the Administration he leads.

On writing the Blog!

It was over forty years ago that I went for an interview at the Launceston 'Examiner" for a cadet journalist position and naturally was knocked back because of both my immaturity and obvious physical disability. I realised from the start that I had absolutely no hope of getting it. I have always wanted to write down my thoughts and observations but I would have had to toe the line to the  current editorial position of the day. 28 years ago, I commenced compiling a column on radio monitoring in "Amateur Radio" magazine, which I still do now. Yet I still was unable to write my thoughts on other matters for a wider audience. Now I have started this blog and am at last able to let off steam. Thanks also to the creation of Information technology, it has been made easier. My handwriting is slow and can be painful if I write by hand.

I forget who sent me to a community poetry writing class, probably Stephanie Thorne, wife of Tim. To be truthful I found poetry a huge bore when I was at Scotch College in the early sixties but that can be directly attributed to the poor quality and eccentricity of the English teachers we were given. Well I reluctantly attended this workshop under Eric Beach, I think his name was and he got us writing blank verse. I found the anthology the other day and at the time I was surprised to find one of the only two I have ever written in my life was adopted as the local  theme for the  International Year of Literacy.

The class was an absolute disaster and we weren't poetically  gifted. On reflection, I think this guy was on one of those artists in residence sponsored by some community arts group. He taught poetry at venues such as psychiatric facilities, youth detention centres, a poetry classs for the unemployed or Adult Ed. classes. Some  of those fellow classmates are now dead. I recollect one girl who had a suicide fixation and was forever mutilating herself to gain attention. One guy was a paranoid schizophrenic and there was a prim and proper Chinese lady who only did the class to improve her English comprehension. Poor lady as there were plenty of expletives going around in speech and writing.  I felt uncomfortable and out of place. Despite the temporary recognition  I know that I am no poet.

That is why I writing this blog. because I want to freely express myself honestly and openly despite the probablility of being misunderstood. It is not my intention to become controversial or a shock jock.All I wish to do is communicate in print.  

Robin L. Harwood

First blog for November.

A new month has started and it looks as if it is going to busy for me. So much for sleeping in today, my former sister-in-law rang to announce she was arriving in 30 minutes, which galvanised me into immediate action. I knew she was due in town for a wedding but thought it would be much later.

No matter how hard one tries to push one's past into the background, it is impossible to get away from it. I have moved on and developed new relationships but you cannot suppress past memories and events. One has to cope with the past, live in the present and look to the future without becoming a prisoner of all three.A real balancing act.

The Diggers Rest pub destroyed by Fire

I was shocked watching the 5 pm news tonight on Channel 10 when they had a report about a fire which destroyed the historic Diggers Rest pub. Why? Well because it was owned at one time by my uncle. I only went there once with my parents over 50 years ago and was introduced to three female cousins, Eleanor, Jill and the baby, Lyn. the reason I recollect it so vividly is because it was a Sunday and Diggers Rest was then in the country and my uncle "opened " the pub to give Dad a drink of beer. In those times if you travelled over 20 or 30 miles you were entitled to beer with a meal. I remember being given a very cold glass of raspberry vinegar. I can still remember how refreshing it was although it was over 50 years ago.

Tonight I spoke to my cousin , Eleanor, who now is resident on the Gold Coast and she had not heard the news.Naturally she was saddened over the news as she remenbers the times when she lived there. I also chatted to my aunt down on the Mornington Penisula and she also remembers the place. Sadly the hotel was closed for renovations and was hoping to open for Christmas. It was 157 years old. Police are treating the fire as suspicious.

Wednesday October 29th.

I read that Microsoft has announced that they are bringing out yet another operating system to replace the failed Vista system, which had so many bugs that many, including yours truly, opted to stay with XP. Windows 98 no longer has support but I am aware that there are still quite a number of computers still running with it. These operating platforms have become so complicated and use up a great deal of memory and resources, that they are in fact much slower than 98 was. No commencement date has been revealed yet but I am sure that many will be wary installing it until it has been trialed extensively.

I also note that AOL has taken over ICQ and integrated icqmail into aol. I had to reload ICQ to get access to that address and I will  be notifying all contacts  that come through icqmail of my primary emaiil address.

Also I have tried most of the windoze based browsers and have found that Internet Explorer 8, Firefox and Sea Monkey all work but the Safari browser, eats up too much RAM.For  reliability and a quicker start- up,  Google Chrome is by far the best. I took Netscape Navigator down after they withdrew support and stopped updating the browser. Firefox has taken over and Seamonkey appears to be identical, based on the same Mosaic foundation that Netscape had.

Reflections on a Celtic heritage.

I haven't done a blog for a few days and yes I am still around. Yesterday afternoon took Mum to a celebration concert put on by the St. Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band. They got her up on stage to recognise her involvement with it as the first woman piper in about 1938. She was really touched. It is funny that I have always felt Scottish and the skirl of the bagpipes always stirs me.

The reality is, however, is that many of my ancestors are in fact Irish. They are in fact on both sides of the border and different religions. Naturally it has caused divisions and animosity within the families. In 1979 I was fortunate that my parents took me to Britain and Europe as part of their long service leave entitlements. I have always identified with Scotland and really felt I belonged, when I was there. Before arriving in Scotland, we went to Eire and I felt uncomfortable as the tour guides were very anti English and pro- Catholic. My parents were nominally Anglicans and rarely attended services. I was a committed Christian but did not make a fuss about it. During the whole 12 week period I only had a very brief meaningful encounter and that was at Iona, known as the sainted isle in the Hebridies.

Despite strongly identifiying with Scotland, I discovered many decades later, that many of my ancestors actually came from Ireland, both North and South. This surprised me as I vividly remember the strong feelings of hate and ethnic division stirred up by my 1979 visit.These divisions were still apparent within my family history. My father was unaware of his father's Irish roots as my grandparents marriage foundered in the 1920's and he was not allowed to have anything to do with his father.

In the final few weeks of his life, I started out the quest to find his family history but sadly was unable to finally complete it before he died early in 2006. I have also developed an interest in Irish history discover for myself my family roots. As somebody has said, you cannot choose your ancestors, you are born into their family line and inherit their DNA.

Local Government reform proposals again.

It was interesting to recently read in the "Launceston Examiner" that once more there has been discussion on once again on local government amalgamations. This has been tried and yes we have reduced the number of local councils to reduce duplication and make them more economically manageable but naturally there will be opposition from vested interests who prefer the status quo.

Originally we had 46 councils or municipal regions and these were reduced to 29.
The proposal is to cut them back to 11 and it makes sense economically yet most ratepayers are naturally very wary of the creation of super councils which will seem distant and remote from them. Most would prefer a local council that would concentrate on needs closer to home.

Do we need state governments at all? I wonder if we bypassed them and only had the federal and local governments, what a lot of duplication would be cut.
What do you think?


Robin

My beef continues

I profess not to know what is really going on behind the scenes but the recent developments around the re-appointment of a key retired police adminstrator and the subsequent reversal by the government following some unspecified objections raised by the legal fraternity, makes me question what is going on with the administration of this State. The present Labor administration led by David Bartlett seems to lurch from one crisis to another. This is not good and indeed is a very bad advertisement for Tasmania interstate and overseas.

I wrote recently of my personal disgust of the parliamentary behaviour of the Opposition Leader and the narrow focus of the minority Greens Party. Both lead me to wonder are we really being served by responsible and mature leadership in the State. We do need fresh blood and focus in government and parliament.Certainly by no means an increase in the numbers of pollies in the Lower house but a cleanout of the deadwood that seems to be there on all sides. I am sick of the point scoring and name calling. Do these politicians realise the low standing they have in the general community by this behaviour more akin the schoolyard instead of parliament?

Robin

Did I go too far in my criticism?

Am I too harsh on politicians? Probably after all they are human. Yet we do require them to set an example and really get down to solving problems and making things better for you and me. I know I get angry when I see them playing very childish games of one-upmanship and point scoring. It is very sad. We need better political leadership with integrity and vision.

I see President George W. Bush has called for a World Summit to discuss the worsening financial crisis. If only we would see an outcome from this but I suspect it will end up as a talkfest and political grandstanding. He is only in office for three months before the next president takes over and I personally cannot see he can do that much. Either Obama or McCain may want to do things differently.

Robin L. Harwood.

The Tasmanian Political scene due for a shakeup

I , along with many other Tasmanians, was disgusted by the childish actions of Opposition Leader Will Hodgman in State Parliament this week. He made a very obscene gensture to an opposition backbencher and it was seen from the parliamentary press gallery. I am appalled at this behaviour, especially coming from an individual who aspires to be the political leader of this island state.

This episode has only reinforced the standing of politicians who are ranked alongside used car salesmen for creditability. We need to have a complete cleanout of those presently in parliament and get back people with integrity and vision. It is no wonder that the Liberals languish in public opinion polls.

The Labor government is no better and they seem captive to faceless bureaucrats and spin doctors. The minority Greens have claimed the high moral ground but are so idealistic and have a very narrow focus of saving trees.The Greens are no pragmatists, nor are they realistic.
The loony left have abandoned their traditional Labor base for the Greens.

The former Liberal federal candidate , Ben Quin, who was dumped because of his opposition to the Gunns pulp mill, has hinted that he is going to form a new political party with a claim of 13 candidates. I take that with a grain of salt. However we do need fresh blood not only in government but in opposition as well. That is why I am sympathetic to independent candidates not affilated to political parties. I voted for Brian Harradine and before him Spot Turnbull.
They did more for Tasmania in the Senate than party affilated pollies. I am thankfull for the independent Legislative council, our upper house, for laregely being free of parties, although they are trying to get more in that chamber. If they can't get elected, then they favour abolishing the Upper House.

Ok I will get down from my soapbox now.

Robin

As I see it.

Today I really got up early as I had an scheduled appointment. Naturally I managed to get started much earlier than I normally do by commencing to get some unfinished business underway at last. I really should endeavour to get going and not dawdle. Trouble is once my brain starts working, my body wants not to cooperate. I should program my body to go to the active mode and my brain ( thought processes) into a standby mode. In other words, stop daydreaming and get going.

Yes I viewed the final presidential debate between Obama and McCain. This debate was more spirited than the two previous encounters. Obama did impress me on how controlled and relaxed he was under pressure. McCain came accross as being very tired and did not offer anything new. Just a few hours prior to this debate, Wall Street nosedived again and it appears that they and other markets really do not have much confidence in the rescue packages hastily formulated by very nervous governments.

It is also very obvious that unemployment is rapidly increasing in the wake of this financial meltdown. Ford Australia has slashed another 450 jobs on top of the hundreds laid off just a few weeks back. Economists also predict that jobs will be slashed in the small business sectors, not only here in Australia but also in North America. The BBC World Service recently stated that over 30,000 positions will be axed within London's financial sector alone due to this massive meltdown.

It doesn't surprise me that Obama is the frontrunner in the coming US presidential election because he represents change
whilst McCain is identified with incumbent Bush administration. Naturally the Republicans have resorted to smear and innuendo to try and deflect the flack they are getting over their poor administration, which has largely contributed to this meltdown.

Now it appears that the crisis is starting to hit Australia with cutbacks in orders for Australia's base metals. We naively thought that the huge demand from China for these would cushion Australia from the financial meltdown. Credit has become so tight that it is difficult attracting investment.

Australians have also discovered that it has become too expensive to travel overseas with the local dollar shrinking over 30% in value compared to six months ago. Then the Aussie dollar was 98.7 American and now it is 66.4. I have decided to forego ordering books from overseas for the time being. It no longer is economical.

Robin L. Harwood

Thoughts at the end of the day.

Today I have been doing absolutely nothing when I have a few tasks I should be doing.

I think I procrastinate too much and I must get down and complete them.  Tomorrow morning I have to get up early and maybe I will get into clearing the backlog.

Yesterday Mr. Rudd announced a package to try and cushion pensioners from the present financial crisis. Yes I am on a disability pension and the $1400 bonus will help me but I do know of others in a much worse situation than I am in. There are some in this retirement village who solely rely on superannuation which has dramatically shrunk because the funds were caught in questionable investments in the current crisis. 

Well to be honest, I have been thinking about my future and I would like to spend more time with a person who has had a huge impact on my life. I have been alone for over a decade ever since my marriage ended in divorce. To complicate things, my ex-wife died tragically six and half years ago and this also has had a lasting impact. I moved in here rather reluctantly and although I have become accustomed to being single, I have had this void and no longer like being alone. A long-term friendship has developed into a deep mutual love and a desire to be in each others company.

Have you really considered your future?  Do you want to break out and try something different?  Or are you content with the status quo?  Yes I know what I would like yet without taking too many risks. Change comes whether we are prepared or not.  We like to be in control and feel threatened by anything we can't control. I know I am at the crossroads and I am the one who has to make decisions regarding my future. I am weighing up all the options.

Robin

Just thinking aloud.....

Where do I go from here? I have been writing this blog and I know that it is being read. I have been sharing on my reflections on many situations from my perspective. I have wanted to be open and candid yet have often retreated into my shell. So often we hide our innermost feelings because we are afraid of becoming hurt or being misunderstood. This self-censorship makes us guarded and reticent about being truly open.

I have become somewhat cynical and wary and do quite a lot of thinking about the issues that are before us. Just scratching the surface or as somebody once said, skimming the headlines, contributes to generalisations and half-truths That is why we have to keep on questioning and fully investigating. We need access to a much wider field of information and expertise rather than the blind acceptance of a single source of information. We need to exercise closer scrutinity and not to take things at face value.

What do you think?

Robin L. Harwood

October 12th 2008.

We have all been shaken up by the recent dramatic developments with the collapse of the financial system on Friday. This crisis has hurt many people and there is no sign yet of it recovering. This crisis was largely brought on by greed and living off credit, which isn't healthy. It comes then as no surprise that the world's financial markets have collapsed with politicians and financial regulators trying desperately to unravel the mess. They have tried to introduce stopgap measures in the interim to restore some confidence but the public is extremely nervous and does not seem to have much confidence in politicians or financial regulation.

This crisis , as I said , has touched everybody and we should learn from our mistakes and live within our means. Most commentators seem to agree that it will take a long period before the system returns to "normal'. But as I have pointed out, people are searching for answers as to what has caused this financial meltdown and readily blame Wall Street, financiers, politicians or banks instead of realising that the crisis came out of out of their own greed and desire for easy wealth.

I also believe that the obscene amount of expenditure outlayed on the Iraqi war and in Afghanistan has significantly added to the ever-mounting debt accrued particularly by the US.

The US presidential election is scheduled for November 4th and I would expect that voters there will want to send a clear message to politicians that they are very angry. They want change and the incumbents naturally have resorted to smears and underhand methods against their opponents.

I , along with everybody else, am closely watching what will happen next.

Robin L. Harwood

Thoughts on Wednesday October 8th.

I have found today rather unusual and very tiring. October is notoriously windy here and as the Spring Season takes a while to settle down after the cold winter. I also think it takes a few days for the internal body clock to adjust to daylight saving. I am finding difficult to get going in the mornings and  slowing down to a crawl.

Around noon I sat down to watch the second presidential election debate between McCain and Obama. There wasn't anything really new and basically both candidates rehashed their earlier positions. McCain really failed to impress me whilst Obama came across as being from a younger generation. It was obvious that he appeals to a younger audience who really yearns for change.
Also it appears that support for McCain has dwindled markedly following the worsening financial crisis.Electors are seeking somebody to blame for causing this financial meltdown which has caused so much uncertainity and distrust for the political and financial sectors. Obama has picked up support but it is unclear what he can really do if elected to overcome this crisis. McCain is tainted by belonging to the Republicans and George W. Bush's policies which are hugely unpopular with the American public. I think that this election on the 4th of November could possibly see McCain and the Republicans being routed in elections for presidential and congressional offices.Americans want concrete actions and not platitudes at this juncture.

Reflections on Depression.

I have just read about two distressing episodes from Online news sites (1) that another high profile Australian entertainment personality has apparently committed suicide and (2) a mentally depressed individual in LA has killed members of his family and then turned the gun on himself. It is extremely tragic and it is no accident that this week here in Tasmania happens to be Mental Health Week.

I am know only too well the effects of depression as somebody close to me succumbed to ending her own life. Suicide is perceived as an escape from the inner torment and pain they are going through and from my experience, it is extremely difficult trying to reason with an individual whose thought processes are seriously impaired. They cannot see or understand the tragic consequences of their selfish actions on those closest to them. I have many friends who are still tormented and upset from a suicide of a close friend or family member.

As I see it, a seriously depressed person is often incapable of perceiving reality and is internally focused on their inner feelings of rejection and low self-esteem. Intervention is vital where an individual is obviously displaying severe depression, which can lead to extremely irrational behaviour and even death. This intervention will take time as the effects of this depression are deep seated.. Throughout the period of Intervention and beyond, they are going to need ongoing support and loving encouragement.

For further information on helping thosetrying to cope with depression, please go to www.beyondblue.org.au

(1) http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/entertainment/5059962/idol-contestant-dies-balcony-fall/

(2) http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=5968168

Memories and a new Beginning....

Today I keep hearing Barbara Striesand singing "Memories" Why? Well today would have been my 22nd wedding anniversary. I was married for 9 and half years before it finally failed. Fortunately we parted as friends and divorced 18 months later. She sadly passed away just three days before her 48th birthday.

Now I have finally been able to move on. Although I confess that I still find it impossible viewing the wedding video or the photo album .We can choose not become prisoners of bad memories. We cannot change the past yet we should learn from our mistakes and move on. That is what I have been able to do at last for I have found somebody I want to share my remaining years with. She too has cerebral palsy and we have known each other for quite some time. We have so much in common. . We understand each other completely and we have always been very close, despite the twists and turns of life's journey.

Robin

The Veep debate as seen by me.

I read today on the Web that the number of Blogs written in the past 24 hours number in the tens of thousands. I guess that they are being read and probably will generate even more replies and controversy. Even though, I have not received much of a response, I am determined to continue.

Along with countless millions in the USA and throughout the World, I watched the debate between the two candidates for Vice-president. Normally the Veep debate does not gather huge audiences but this election certainly has elicited a huge response since the nomination of Governor Sarah Palin by the Republican Party. There were many who questioned the wisdom of her selection and obvious inexperience, including yours truly yet I was surprised today by performance and style. I still think it won't work.

Senator Biden has more experience it is true but I was put off a little by coming across as a professional politician. Biden has more seniority than Obama yet he came across as being deferential to him. However I think the Obama-Biden ticket would govern better than McCain-Palin. I think the American voters are going to severely punish the Republicans for getting into the current financial mess. That is how this Tasmanian sees the situation as it is currently panning out. I think Americans want change and an end to the current mess and they are looking for scapegoats. I also think the financial mess is too deep to be solved with a bailout package, which is apparently deeply unpopular with ordinary voters

Robin L. Harwood
Norwood, Tasmania

Shall I continue?

I am wondering if my blog is serving any purpose as I have had no real feedback.

Am I writing nonsense to the blogsphere? Does anybody really care? Will I give up or is there a better platform to write and share my reflections?

The World is certainly changing so rapidly and it really is no surprise that there is so much anxiety and uncertainty about the future, especially after the dramatic collapse of the World financial markets. It is obvious that greed has played a large part in this collapse and naturally people are extremely wary of bailout packages that have the appearance of propping up

an unworkable situation. Nobody wants to see the perpetrators of this financial free-fall

rewarded with huge golden parachutes. In fact the huge bonuses and salaries earned by these corporate robbers are rather obscene.

This present financial crisis will continue for some time and is a wake-up call to us to get our house in order. We have been living beyond our means.

Robin L. Harwood

More Football-related comments.

It has been a few days since I posted a Blog and there has been a lot happening.Hawthorn upset the Geelong party and unexpectedly won the AFL Grand Final at the hallowed MCG. Hawthorn are really a local team as they play 4 regular season matches here in Launceston and Tasmania are their No. 1 sponsor. The local reaction has been wild and the team are currently here at York Park (Aurora Stadium) celebrating with local fans and sponsors.

This unexpected victory has perhaps killed off the idea of a separate Tasmanian team in the AFL. The idea was really floated by the State Labor Government to deflect attention away from recent political incompetence and mismanagement. Hawthorn has said it remains committed to staying here in Tasmania and frankly it clearly is the best option than starting off a separate AFL team from scratch. The AFL hierachy has also made it clear that they are not interested in a separate team for Tasmania, prefering instead for teams on Queensland's Gold Coast and Sydney's western suburbs. I personally think the idea of a second team in Sydney is a non-starter, judging by the extremely poor attendance for the Sydney Swans finals match at the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Also the Gold Coast team is shaky with lukewarm sponsorship and local interest.

I think that the current 16 teams are enough. There are some teams who are on borrowed time if they cannot overcome their huge financial debt, namely Melbourne, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs. Melbourne could possibly be saved because it was the first australian rulles football club and is as old as football itself. Freo will probably merge with the West Coast Eagles.As for the Western Bulldogs, I think they can survive as they do have a good supporter base yet are heavily in debt.

I know you may be asking the inevitable question whether the Hawthorn victory make me alter my allegiance from Collingwood? The answer is of course, NO. Naturally I am not happy with the way they have been performing, particularly off-field.I really think they need a new direction and leadership to overcome the negative image they have been portraying. Personally I think they lost the plot when they moved away from Victoria Park , which was Collingwood's identity for over 100 years. I have been there and you could feel the history and atmosphere of the ground. True the ground was too small to cater for the huge increase in spectator numbers but to move their clubrooms and facilities out of the suburb of Collingwood was, IMHO, a retrograde step.

Robin L. Harwood
a passionate Magpie fan.

Some initial thoughts on Relationships.

Do you find it increasingly difficult to get going in the morning? Is it related to ageing? I am
61 and have noticed that I am at a much slower pace. I really do not push myself unless
I really have to. I have been living alone now for 7 years and probably need a shake-up.
I also find I am doing tasks automatically from habit. Motivation to get out of this self-imposed rut came from a very close friend who was recently here from Queensland. Our paths had not crossed for seven years and we realised that we had so much in common .

We need each other and if we find ourselves alone and just twiddling our thumbs and doing nothing at all, then it is really time to get out and about and be stimulated. That is what this blog has done so far. It has made me think outside the Box. A Relationship needs two or more to develop. You cannot have a relationship with yourself because that is so self-centred. It is very blinkered and a very narrow view. I know I need relationships to get a balance and equilibrum in my life. It is said that No man is an island yet we often hide in insularity and insecurity. Relationships makes us open and yes vulnerable. Relationships need trust to work.
None of us are perfect so we should accept the shortcomings of others and try to overcome my faults and personal shortcomings

Each relationship is unique and cannot be replicated. Building a relationship takes time
and effort and there are degrees in a relationship. Some are very close, others transistory or marginal and some are even difficult or hostile. Relationships do depend on how we respond to them and what we put into each one. It is better to give than receive. Aim to be selfless and not selfish.

Robin L. Harwood

Invitation to contribute to my Blog.

I have found out how you add your thoughts into my Blog. All it needs is to add you as authors. If you would like to contribute is to go to my email address and request permission. I did give permission to anybody seeing my Blog but I may curtail this to my friends or acquaitances depending on the reaction. All you have to do if you wish to post your comments is to click
on to post your comments and it will direct you to a page where you can do this.
This should help you. I am really new to this. Bear with me.

Robin.

I know Football isn't everything.

I have been writing on Australian Rules football and although I like the game, it certainly doesn't dominate all my waking thoughts. The season ends this Saturday and I will concentrate on other subjects after 5:15 on Saturday afternoon.

Lately I have been giving quite a deal of thought to my immediate future. I know what I would like to do yet there are some temporary barriers. I do have faith that these will be removed or another route will be found. I do have to exercise patience and frankly it isn't one of my virtues.
I have been through a lot and finally there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am not anxious or worried and believe that it is part of the Divine Plan. I am learning what Trust is by being patient.

It is late Wednesday evening here and I am tired and really should be sleeping.
Tasmania is a great place to live and I have lived here all my life. It is not perfect
but what place is? Could I live in another state or location? Yes I could although I would frequently come home.

We are an island state and our insularity is one of our strongpoints. We are proud of who we are and our historical roots. We were first settled by a unique indigneous race 40,000 years ago
and European settlement has only happened in the last 200 years. Sadly most of the original inhabitants were wiped out by introduced diseases or through violence done to them. Yet there are many descendents of these original indigneous inhabitants still living here in Tasmania.

When the Europeans came here, their primary purpose was to establish a penal colony and this lasted for 50 years until transportation ceased in 1853. Most Tasmanians have ancestors who were sent out here as convicts. One of mine was actually transported for receiving stolen goods
and upon his release became one of the leading personalities in the country town of Westbury
with one of the main streets named after him. Other ancestors came out as free settllers and were involved in mining or farming. Some were very adept at running Pubs. Others were involved in horse-racing, either as trainers or jockeys. Music is also prominent in our ancestors with one being a bandmaster and having his own orchestra in the early 20th Century.

I have been involved in researching my Family Tree and of course have discovered some skeletons. It has been very fascinating to look back and only wish my own Father was still alive to learn about his forebears. He was denied access to much of his family history.

Robin L. Harwood
24th September 2008

Thoughts on the 2008 Brownlow Medal Count.

Today the rain stopped and we had some sun at last but the Wind is unrelenting. Of course it is the Equinox when the Season officially changes from Winter to Spring.

Lst night, Adam Cooney unexpectedly won the Brownlow Medal from Gary Ablett Jnr. and Mattthew Richardson. It was a close result but we could have been spared all the hype and hoopla associated with what their partners were wearing or who was with who. Prior to the TV networks taking the Medal count over, The count was conducted on the Monday night before the commencement of the Finals in a smoke-filled room and the only way you could find out what was happening was by steam radio. When the winner was determined then the radio networks used to scramble to find out where the winner was. The present set-up could be open to abuse as quite a deal of money is wagered on who will win the Medal. However despite the votes being in sealed envelopes and supposedly opened on the night, there is the perception that there are individuals who may have advanced information.

I was not surprised that Cooney won but query why there was so much media hype about Gary Ablett was a shoe-in to win it. I was also surprised at the high number of votes cast for Simon Black from the Brisbane Bears as I personally did not think he played such a dominant role this year as in previous seasons.

I have received some feedback on this blog to one of my email addresses but many of them are confused as to how to add comments at the end of each blog. So I have allowed comments to be posted so feel free to add your comments and reactions.

Robin L. Harwood
September 23rd 2008.

Monday's ramblings.

I am determined to continue writing this blog, despite not receiving much feedback. What has come back has been to my email address but I am hopeful that we will see some comments at the end of the blog.

Today it has been raining continually and yes we certainly needed it but the rain is not falling where it is most needed, particularly in the Midlands. It would be good though just to have a few days of Sun , just to brighten things up.

Tonight I shall be watching the annual Brownlow Medal count on TV. I don't know who will win although most media commentators are hoping Garry Ablett Jnr. Will win. Expect many ineligible players to figure prominently in the count and on-field indiscretions will cost somebody a medal.

My GP arrived unexpectedly this afternoon and gave me the all-clear with a normal blood pressure reading. Thankfully there are no further complications
and he will see me next month as normal.

I am looking forward to watching the Grand Final on Saturday afternoon
from Melbourne. This year channel 7 will apparently be telecasting it and it is the first time for seven years that they have done this. Channel 10 has been doing this and apparently is part of the television rights with the AFL I personally prefer the channel 10 commentary team because they are more knowledgeable than 7.

Prior to the Grand Final , I shall be watching the debate between McCain and Obama at 11 am. It will be interesting to listen to them but the vice-presidential debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden will be more interesting. This will be on Friday week. Initially I thought that McCain would run away with the election but his selection of the virtually unknown Alaskan Governor to be his vice-presidential running mate, has the appearance of desperation. Obama and Biden have more experience and look stable. If Obama does win, there will be changes for sure, particularly to the domestic area.

Robin Harwood
September 21st 2008.

95% of Blogs wither and die but who knows with mine?

Thanks for your comments which were sent to one of my email addresses.
Thanks Kinty for your encouragement.

I was reliably told by an expert that 95% of all blogs never get past the the first one.
I see blogs as being two-way and thus it depends on your input and comments for me to
be motivated enough for me to write.

As I stated in my first blog, I have cerebral palsy and have had this from birth. I recently
inquired about a project run by the prestigious Menzies Institute in Hobart on Cerebral palsy.
I am currently fillling an extensive survey form as well as filling a national online survey.
I have no qualms in participating as it may benefit my future health.

This is the second Menzies Institute project I have encontered. I previously participated
in a prostate cancer survey and probably still on the books with that one. My father had this condition and many cancers are genetic so it is prudent to keep monitoring me in case any symptoms manifest themselves.

Geelong and Hawthorn meet next Saturday in the Grand final in Melbourne. Out state government has sponsored Hawthorn to the tune of $15 million and four regular season games
are played here in my city at the Aurora Stadium. Although Hawthorn is a "local" team
and apparently 10,000 Tasmanians have signed up as paid members, I have not been swayed from my allegiance to Collingwood. It is now 45 years since that day I went to Victoria Park
as a guest of the Collingwood Rotary Club to the match between Melbourne and the Magpies.
The first player from Collingwood I met made sure that I was defintely a supporter and I have been ever since. This upset some of my family , including my father and aunt as they were fanatical Essendon supporters.

But to return to Saturday's Grand Final. Geelong look to be unbackable and I expect that they will easily beat Hawthorn, although the Hawks easily beat St. Kilda last evening. The only way Geelong can be beaten if relentless pressure is applied. Geelong easily dominates if they are allowed to run over the opposition.

Robin L. Harwood
September 21st 2008

Let's start of with my first Blog.

OK this is my first blog and depending on feedback, I will consider regularly posting one. Just to fill you in, I am 61, male and retired, currently residing in my own unit in a retirement village. I am disabled with cerebral palsy.I live in Tasmania, an island state of Australia and have been here all my life.

It is finally Spring here and lately it has been raining and has been very windy. We do need more rain because of the prolonged drought. There has been quite a deal about climate change and mostly blaming Man for it but it is so apparent that it is definitely an cyclic event and has more to do with the Sun than the actions of Man. Currently there have been a prolonged absence of sunspots there and this has been causing most of the World's climatic shifts. I do also believe that Man has not been helping things by pumping increasing amounts of pollution into the atmosphere and dumping his gsarbage without really developing strategies or suitable technology to get rid of it permanently.

I don't believe in blindly following any political party or movement and not a member of any. I believe that one should be independent and not tied down to a single train of thought of philosphy. If anything I am in the centre politically and a moderate. Politicians should be regularly changed and should not be completely trusted.

Well this is my first effort at blogging and I will have further comments on life, love and having cerebral palsy.

Robin Harwood