Reproduced from
Camilla Cavendish From: The Times April 10, 2010
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/why-is-it-brave-to-want-it-all/story-e6frg6zo-1225852004961
SO here I am, "fresh" back from maternity leave but feeling about 102, gripped by a vertiginous fear that the third child was a step too far. I am standing on a cliff edge marked "woman who failed".
My baby is blessedly robust and easy, yet I can't remember the names of colleagues, have lost my security pass and need a thesaurus to write. My brain is on the blink.
With the first two children, I managed to cover up for deficiencies by wearing mascara and cultivating an air of efficiency.
It is a maddening aspect of modern life that most careers take off when we are in our 30s. Many of us hit a period of acceleration at 30, just when we are thinking about children. If you miss the moment, it's almost impossible to catch up.
The early 40s are prime time for men. British political leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg are 43, the age at which Tony Blair became prime minister. Many men are at the top of their game when many women are waylaid by teething, phonics, lunch boxes and childcare.
These things seem to clog up the brain's easy access account and push other information - the size of the deficit or the news from Tehran - into some kind of remote cognitive overdraft facility. Hands-on fathers are better able to compartmentalise than many working mothers, because we are the ones who get the call when the shoes are lost or the child is ill.
This shouldn't matter so much. In a working life that might span 40 years, it seems absurd that a few middle years can be make or break. Yet downsizing temporarily can have a devastating effect on female careers. In the US, the writer and thinker Sylvia Ann Hewlett has found that women lose about a third of their earning power if they take even three years out to care for children or relatives. Some drop in earnings is inevitable. What is scary is the permanent relegation of many older women to the sidelines.
In her book Off-Ramps and On-Ramps: Keeping Talented Women on the Road to Success, Hewlett finds that 37 per cent of highly qualified American women voluntarily leave their careers at some point. Another 30 per cent take what she calls the "scenic route", working part-time and/or from home. A whopping 93 per cent of those women try later to get back on to the career highway, but half fail to find an "on-ramp" back to mainstream jobs. Some become self-employed. Many end up in jobs for which they are over-qualified. This is an extraordinary waste of talent. What employers see as a "gap" in a resume has actually been filled with learning how to parent, negotiate with small irrational people, remain patient and alert on almost no sleep - surely all valuable management skills.
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Well ladies, what have you got to say about that???
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Long Live the Grey Legion in Lycra ...
[editorial from The Weekend Australian newspaper of April 10, 2010]
Guest Blog ... what the Monsoon Frog is reading while he is recuperating ...
"Which is what older men who take up exercise generally do
THEY were out this morning, swimming and cycling, lifting weights and running laps, the army of middle-age men who understand the way to stay sane and live long is to exercise like mad - which in Tony Abbott's case, as he rides from Melbourne to Sydney, looks like a literal description. These blokes of a certain age don't have to share the Opposition Leader's opinions on other matters to know he is on to something, that exercise is an investment in health and sanity, that they feel better, think smarter, are easier to live with and more reconciled to life's routine rejections when they are fit. And they know it is cheaper and safer than self-medicating on alcohol, which is what many men in their 50s watched their dads endure. So good for the legions in lycra - they may be sweating but it's not over the small stuff."
Comment from the Monsoon Frog
It is about time that the rest of the population came to the realisation that we are not mad, no......absolutely the opposite. And it is fun, develops camaderie and as has been said, it is good for you. But to get an editorial in the premier national newspaper.......that is something else!
As someone who has been considered a bit crazy over exercise, and been a regular exercise person since primary school, I liken it to the words of Zorba in the movie "Zorba the Greek" as Anthony Quinn intones ......"a man needs a little madness" except here it is exercise!
The madness is really among those who DO NOT exercise. Yes, Jim Fixx the runner's junkie died while running, but I bet he was still enjoying himself. Exercise IS good for you. Yes, we do not always do what is good for oneself, but with exercise, and all the benefits that come from it, one is a bit crazy not to indulge.
Guest Blog ... what the Monsoon Frog is reading while he is recuperating ...
"Which is what older men who take up exercise generally do
THEY were out this morning, swimming and cycling, lifting weights and running laps, the army of middle-age men who understand the way to stay sane and live long is to exercise like mad - which in Tony Abbott's case, as he rides from Melbourne to Sydney, looks like a literal description. These blokes of a certain age don't have to share the Opposition Leader's opinions on other matters to know he is on to something, that exercise is an investment in health and sanity, that they feel better, think smarter, are easier to live with and more reconciled to life's routine rejections when they are fit. And they know it is cheaper and safer than self-medicating on alcohol, which is what many men in their 50s watched their dads endure. So good for the legions in lycra - they may be sweating but it's not over the small stuff."
Comment from the Monsoon Frog
It is about time that the rest of the population came to the realisation that we are not mad, no......absolutely the opposite. And it is fun, develops camaderie and as has been said, it is good for you. But to get an editorial in the premier national newspaper.......that is something else!
As someone who has been considered a bit crazy over exercise, and been a regular exercise person since primary school, I liken it to the words of Zorba in the movie "Zorba the Greek" as Anthony Quinn intones ......"a man needs a little madness" except here it is exercise!
The madness is really among those who DO NOT exercise. Yes, Jim Fixx the runner's junkie died while running, but I bet he was still enjoying himself. Exercise IS good for you. Yes, we do not always do what is good for oneself, but with exercise, and all the benefits that come from it, one is a bit crazy not to indulge.
As the guest blogger says....."I know that the MF is a lot easier to live with when he has his swim every day, or at least regularly ..."
Thursday, 8 April 2010
The Frog Dissected
Guest Blog
Today the Monsoon Frog (MF) had an appointment with the skin doctor.
MF has spent a large part of his life in the tropics and, as those of us who live here know, that can be quite traumatic on the epidermis.
A week ago, during a six monthly skin check, the doctor found several marks that he was not particularly happy about. Some, he burnt off there and then; but the others where scheduled for attention later. He found what he felt were three Basal Cell Carcinoma’s (BCC) on MF’s back and shoulder and a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) on his nose.
So, today MF went under the knife.
The BCCs were removed by taking ellipse shaped skin sections and then suturing. Pretty ordinary but interesting.
The removal of the SCC, however, was quite fascinating. I asked, and was allowed, to watch. After removing the offending “spot,” the doctor then proceded to cover the hole. This involved cutting another circle of flesh from beside the wound, almost dividing that piece and spinning half of it around to cover the hole. He then used the remaining piece to cover the area he “stole” from. I lost count of the number of sutures, but it looked quite an amazing piece of handiwork when it was finished! The theory is, that, because the skin is so similar it will heal with no colour difference and the nose shape will be almost as it was (minus the cancer!) and with just stitch marks showing, initially.
The whole procedure took around an hour.
The offending bits will be sent to pathology for confirmation of their identity and clearance of successful removal.
Good looks are important for a Frog; you never know when a Princess may happen along and he would need to look his best!
I know you will want to join me in wishing him a speedy recovery and return to the pond!
Today the Monsoon Frog (MF) had an appointment with the skin doctor.
MF has spent a large part of his life in the tropics and, as those of us who live here know, that can be quite traumatic on the epidermis.
A week ago, during a six monthly skin check, the doctor found several marks that he was not particularly happy about. Some, he burnt off there and then; but the others where scheduled for attention later. He found what he felt were three Basal Cell Carcinoma’s (BCC) on MF’s back and shoulder and a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) on his nose.
So, today MF went under the knife.
The BCCs were removed by taking ellipse shaped skin sections and then suturing. Pretty ordinary but interesting.
The removal of the SCC, however, was quite fascinating. I asked, and was allowed, to watch. After removing the offending “spot,” the doctor then proceded to cover the hole. This involved cutting another circle of flesh from beside the wound, almost dividing that piece and spinning half of it around to cover the hole. He then used the remaining piece to cover the area he “stole” from. I lost count of the number of sutures, but it looked quite an amazing piece of handiwork when it was finished! The theory is, that, because the skin is so similar it will heal with no colour difference and the nose shape will be almost as it was (minus the cancer!) and with just stitch marks showing, initially.
The whole procedure took around an hour.
The offending bits will be sent to pathology for confirmation of their identity and clearance of successful removal.
Good looks are important for a Frog; you never know when a Princess may happen along and he would need to look his best!
I know you will want to join me in wishing him a speedy recovery and return to the pond!
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Back in Normal Water
People who know me well also know that I fret if I do not swim regularly. Well, maybe not fret, but at least suffer minor to major withdrawal symptoms.
Separation from swimming has happened before, when isolated and working for extended periods away from swimming pools, surf or water, but in those circumstances you allow a certain tolerance and the mind and body adjusts........and no withdrawal symptoms.
Recently - over the past month or so - there has been unannounced and quite sudden remedial works at my normal swimming hole. This has caused some minor difficulties, in timing of my regular swim training, not to mention the instant super-annoyed pique when I arrived to swim on the day the pool had already shut. I like my late afternoon swim to chase a black line and eliminate inhibitions. And it was too late to go anywhere else.
However, my equilibrium was partially restored the next day, with a realisation I might be able to swim at the Darwin City Council operated Nightcliff Aquatic Centre, relatively close to home. But the opening hours were a bit trickier, closing a bit earlier than preferred for my swim training times.
While I vowed never to swim at a Darwin City Council operated pool, over some Council smart tricks that effectively screwed up the local swim club about 15 years ago, I have had to adjust that in light of pool availability, and swim there. But reluctantly, and after 15 years.
I must admit though that sunsets at Nightcliff Pool are still stunning, and I am of the opinion it is probably the best located swim centre in Australia, for the view at sunset. It is on a cliff top overlooking the ocean.
BUT.............I am out of there now, the other pool has reopened!!
There is one minor issue though, I might have to do some ocassional distance training there, in preparation for the across the Darwin harbour swim. The view is quite fantastic at times [especially post and pre the Wet Season] but I am not fully reconciled about using the pool, even after all these years.
Separation from swimming has happened before, when isolated and working for extended periods away from swimming pools, surf or water, but in those circumstances you allow a certain tolerance and the mind and body adjusts........and no withdrawal symptoms.
Recently - over the past month or so - there has been unannounced and quite sudden remedial works at my normal swimming hole. This has caused some minor difficulties, in timing of my regular swim training, not to mention the instant super-annoyed pique when I arrived to swim on the day the pool had already shut. I like my late afternoon swim to chase a black line and eliminate inhibitions. And it was too late to go anywhere else.
However, my equilibrium was partially restored the next day, with a realisation I might be able to swim at the Darwin City Council operated Nightcliff Aquatic Centre, relatively close to home. But the opening hours were a bit trickier, closing a bit earlier than preferred for my swim training times.
While I vowed never to swim at a Darwin City Council operated pool, over some Council smart tricks that effectively screwed up the local swim club about 15 years ago, I have had to adjust that in light of pool availability, and swim there. But reluctantly, and after 15 years.
I must admit though that sunsets at Nightcliff Pool are still stunning, and I am of the opinion it is probably the best located swim centre in Australia, for the view at sunset. It is on a cliff top overlooking the ocean.
BUT.............I am out of there now, the other pool has reopened!!
There is one minor issue though, I might have to do some ocassional distance training there, in preparation for the across the Darwin harbour swim. The view is quite fantastic at times [especially post and pre the Wet Season] but I am not fully reconciled about using the pool, even after all these years.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Dealing with the Wildlife
When you live in the outer reaches of urban living, you need to learn how to deal with the wildlife.
In our region, crocodiles immediately come to mind - you cannot miss them - they appear on the front page of the local newspaper almost every day. Along with snakes, ants - large and small, especially green ants, bandicoots, cockroaches, cane toads and ...........lizards.
The last ones come in large through to small. Our immediate neighbourhood has a quite large monitor lizard - similar to a goanna, about a metre long, and an absolute plethora of much smaller lizards. Skinks of various types and lots of ta -ta lizards. Even the resident dog hardly ever bothers to chase these critters.........there are just too many in the yard, "her" yard!
But last night we had a new incursion, with a 300mm long ta-ta lizard sleeping - yes, sleeping, on the small clothes line on the outside covered terrace area. They cling on tightly to small tree and shrub branches to sleep overnight where they blend in with the colour of the branch very well. But I had not seen one using the clothes line, grasping the line tightly and using it for a bed!
And yes, it had moved on by this morning.
In our region, crocodiles immediately come to mind - you cannot miss them - they appear on the front page of the local newspaper almost every day. Along with snakes, ants - large and small, especially green ants, bandicoots, cockroaches, cane toads and ...........lizards.
The last ones come in large through to small. Our immediate neighbourhood has a quite large monitor lizard - similar to a goanna, about a metre long, and an absolute plethora of much smaller lizards. Skinks of various types and lots of ta -ta lizards. Even the resident dog hardly ever bothers to chase these critters.........there are just too many in the yard, "her" yard!
But last night we had a new incursion, with a 300mm long ta-ta lizard sleeping - yes, sleeping, on the small clothes line on the outside covered terrace area. They cling on tightly to small tree and shrub branches to sleep overnight where they blend in with the colour of the branch very well. But I had not seen one using the clothes line, grasping the line tightly and using it for a bed!
And yes, it had moved on by this morning.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Sunday Night Food
The Sunday evening meal is always problematical. The end of the week, end of the weekend and with some very hot humid weather it has been a trying weekend.
Does one eat leftovers, or a quick takeaway chook plus home cooked veggies, or some other equally exotic fare. Would toasted sambos do the trick?
It is even more of a problem, well, issue maybe, when you have spent several weeks on holiday eating all types of delightful asian cuisine, even if at times in the hawker centres or food halls that have appeared in most shopping areas in both Malaysia and Singapore.
It gets worse........some weeks away lead to a dirty house and yard, so after spending time on those chores, a quick trip to the local food hall would have been great. Sadly it was not to be.
Options were limited. An ordinary, very ordinary Sunday night roast at a local club. Takeaways were less appealing even. But wait, there’s more.......[ after a very notable TV ad of yesteryear] .............what could be better than high quality liver pate with red onion and cucumber [ both finely sliced and fresh], on freshly cooked toast, washed down with a gold medal award riesling?
Great fresh quality food and a quality wine...........beats crappy food anytime.
Eat your heart out!
Does one eat leftovers, or a quick takeaway chook plus home cooked veggies, or some other equally exotic fare. Would toasted sambos do the trick?
It is even more of a problem, well, issue maybe, when you have spent several weeks on holiday eating all types of delightful asian cuisine, even if at times in the hawker centres or food halls that have appeared in most shopping areas in both Malaysia and Singapore.
It gets worse........some weeks away lead to a dirty house and yard, so after spending time on those chores, a quick trip to the local food hall would have been great. Sadly it was not to be.
Options were limited. An ordinary, very ordinary Sunday night roast at a local club. Takeaways were less appealing even. But wait, there’s more.......[ after a very notable TV ad of yesteryear] .............what could be better than high quality liver pate with red onion and cucumber [ both finely sliced and fresh], on freshly cooked toast, washed down with a gold medal award riesling?
Great fresh quality food and a quality wine...........beats crappy food anytime.
Eat your heart out!
Sunday, 7 March 2010
The Weather is STRANGE
Darwin is wet........that's normal in February and March, although much of February was dry with a big wet flurry at the end.
But Singapore is VERY dry, recording one of the driest February's on record with only about 8mm for the month and the dry weather has also substantially reduced much of the rice crop in Thailand [ a large exporter of rice] and parts of adjoining countries.
That may cause some problems in rice supply in Asia shortly.
For now, the food is good, spicy and just great.
But Singapore is VERY dry, recording one of the driest February's on record with only about 8mm for the month and the dry weather has also substantially reduced much of the rice crop in Thailand [ a large exporter of rice] and parts of adjoining countries.
That may cause some problems in rice supply in Asia shortly.
For now, the food is good, spicy and just great.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Art in Photos - Mark Duncan
Tonight was the opening of new photographic exhibition here in Darwin.
Yes, an unashamed visual art afficianado........although ballet leaves me a bit cold, and that has caused some internal family squabbles too.
So........off we all went to the Framed Gallery [ see http://www.framed.com.au/ - it is a good gallery] to see this new exhibition of - photographs.
Some pundits think photography is not art. NOT SO, in my view.
The photographer was Mark Duncan, one of several artists in the family, all doing different things. For more detail and prior work see http://www.duncanimages.com.au/ although this present exhibition is not yet available to see online here.
Some stunning images of the Northern Territory, printed on a range of materials but mostly paper and textured canvas type materials, and large images.
They were mostly outstanding, although as always, there can be a few that do not "get" you.
A modest range of the images is on the site: http://www.framed.com.au/art/newExhibits/MarkDuncan.html
I am not placing a copy here...........look your self. They are worthwhile seeing!
Image I of Nourlangie Rock does not do the real photo justice.......it is a vibrant red rock image, and I must admit, I have seen the same location look that way. However, the images are very good overall.
Yes, an unashamed visual art afficianado........although ballet leaves me a bit cold, and that has caused some internal family squabbles too.
So........off we all went to the Framed Gallery [ see http://www.framed.com.au/ - it is a good gallery] to see this new exhibition of - photographs.
Some pundits think photography is not art. NOT SO, in my view.
The photographer was Mark Duncan, one of several artists in the family, all doing different things. For more detail and prior work see http://www.duncanimages.com.au/ although this present exhibition is not yet available to see online here.
Some stunning images of the Northern Territory, printed on a range of materials but mostly paper and textured canvas type materials, and large images.
They were mostly outstanding, although as always, there can be a few that do not "get" you.
A modest range of the images is on the site: http://www.framed.com.au/art/newExhibits/MarkDuncan.html
I am not placing a copy here...........look your self. They are worthwhile seeing!
Image I of Nourlangie Rock does not do the real photo justice.......it is a vibrant red rock image, and I must admit, I have seen the same location look that way. However, the images are very good overall.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Serious Bomb Blast in Darwin
Early days...........only happened an hour ago, but reports indicate at least up to 12 people hurt, one seriously.
It appears that the TIO office in Cavenagh Street has been the target. But reports are still sketchy.
---------------------------------------------------
It is now 10pm.........all over red rover.
It seems a disgruntled customer of the TIO used petrol and firecrackers as a crude explosive device.......and it sort of, worked.
Fourteen people in hospital and 4 or 5 are still in intensive care [ high dependency unit]. It was a big show with much material on local and national media. See - http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2010/02/03/2809435.htm?site=darwin
or
http://www.news.com.au/national/man-throws-bomb-through-doorway-of-darwin-woolworths-up-to-10-hurt/story-e6frfkvr-1225826351900
It appears that the TIO office in Cavenagh Street has been the target. But reports are still sketchy.
---------------------------------------------------
It is now 10pm.........all over red rover.
It seems a disgruntled customer of the TIO used petrol and firecrackers as a crude explosive device.......and it sort of, worked.
Fourteen people in hospital and 4 or 5 are still in intensive care [ high dependency unit]. It was a big show with much material on local and national media. See - http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2010/02/03/2809435.htm?site=darwin
or
http://www.news.com.au/national/man-throws-bomb-through-doorway-of-darwin-woolworths-up-to-10-hurt/story-e6frfkvr-1225826351900
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
The Antlers Slipped
Mazoe, a very friendly Rhodesian Ridgeback, has been known to wear a pair of Christmas antlers .......you know, the ones with brightly flashing lights and a felt headband, commonly worn as a pre Christmas decoration.
This time the rather large antlers slipped.
Interesting what an old, now seedless, palm spathe can be used for! She loves to walk through them, just helping to clear the yard.
I kid myself it is a set of antlers.
This time the rather large antlers slipped.
Interesting what an old, now seedless, palm spathe can be used for! She loves to walk through them, just helping to clear the yard.
I kid myself it is a set of antlers.
Monday, 1 February 2010
It Has RAINED in January
It is the monsoon season so you expect rain in January. But.....it has rained a LOT. Twenty four out of thirty one days this month here in Darwin, and if you take the period before the end of 2009, there was rain on thirty six days straight from late December through to mid January.
Not the wettest month on record [ January 1995 - 940mm] but with 622mm it was about 1.5 times the average, and the wettest January in 12 years.
Several cyclones were brewing around the north of Australia too in January, but none thankfully reached Darwin although a few did create some havoc...........and a lot of positives too.
Cyclone Laurence after crossing the WA coast continued through to the east part of Australia, passing through areas around Alice Springs and brought drought breaking rains. Around Alice Springs they had over 140mm of rain in a few days........about twice that fell for 2009!
At the present time ex Tropical Cyclone Olga that has meandered around the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Coral Sea over the past two weeks as both a cyclone and a tropical low, has now moved into Queensland as a massive, deep, tropical low with very high rainfalls and considerable river flooding in north, west and southwest Queensland. BUT........very welcome rain. This system is quite likely to bring flows into Coopers Creek, floods to the upper Darling River and the Murray River by the end of the week, as it moves south across the continent.
For some of these areas this will be drought breaking rain.
Ironic that a tropical cyclone with its genesis at the northern tip of Australia will eventually bring rain to South Australia just about 3500km to the south!! Not always pleasant to be in the path of a cyclone, but the rain they bring is vital for rural areas.
Not the wettest month on record [ January 1995 - 940mm] but with 622mm it was about 1.5 times the average, and the wettest January in 12 years.
Several cyclones were brewing around the north of Australia too in January, but none thankfully reached Darwin although a few did create some havoc...........and a lot of positives too.
Cyclone Laurence after crossing the WA coast continued through to the east part of Australia, passing through areas around Alice Springs and brought drought breaking rains. Around Alice Springs they had over 140mm of rain in a few days........about twice that fell for 2009!
At the present time ex Tropical Cyclone Olga that has meandered around the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Coral Sea over the past two weeks as both a cyclone and a tropical low, has now moved into Queensland as a massive, deep, tropical low with very high rainfalls and considerable river flooding in north, west and southwest Queensland. BUT........very welcome rain. This system is quite likely to bring flows into Coopers Creek, floods to the upper Darling River and the Murray River by the end of the week, as it moves south across the continent.
For some of these areas this will be drought breaking rain.
Ironic that a tropical cyclone with its genesis at the northern tip of Australia will eventually bring rain to South Australia just about 3500km to the south!! Not always pleasant to be in the path of a cyclone, but the rain they bring is vital for rural areas.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
The Cockroach Loses
Anyone spending some time living in the tropics will know that cockroaches are inevitable, along with the odd mouse or rat.
No matter how hard one attempts elimination........they always seem to bounce back.
With cockroaches, about the best one can expect is to NOT see them once you turn out the lights at night, then revisit the kitchen after a few hours. If they are not obviously visible, then the numbers are low.
It has been said that cockroaches would survive a nuclear blast.......I do not think anyone is testing it out much at present, but they are pretty pesky, and are great survivors. I shall not regale readers with some of the more gruesome stories seen, involving the cockroach. There have been quite a few, as well as some involving rats.
But this time, the cockroach lost.........beaten by that other denizen of the garbage, the trusty ant!
This is no ordinary ant, but the local green ant. Often seen in large nests in acacia trees. This time the trusty green ants have ganged up to beat a cockroach, and are carrying one off to the nether regions for a great feast.
No matter how hard one attempts elimination........they always seem to bounce back.
With cockroaches, about the best one can expect is to NOT see them once you turn out the lights at night, then revisit the kitchen after a few hours. If they are not obviously visible, then the numbers are low.
It has been said that cockroaches would survive a nuclear blast.......I do not think anyone is testing it out much at present, but they are pretty pesky, and are great survivors. I shall not regale readers with some of the more gruesome stories seen, involving the cockroach. There have been quite a few, as well as some involving rats.
But this time, the cockroach lost.........beaten by that other denizen of the garbage, the trusty ant!
This is no ordinary ant, but the local green ant. Often seen in large nests in acacia trees. This time the trusty green ants have ganged up to beat a cockroach, and are carrying one off to the nether regions for a great feast.
Green Ants 1.........Cockroaches 0
Unfortunately, there were still many cockroaches in the compost bin!
Thursday, 28 January 2010
The Sunscreen Song
This "song" does the rounds every so often.........the version commonly heard is one by Baz Luhrman, but there is another common version done by an American, male......but I cannot remember the name.
I heard it a few evenings ago in the car.......it is worth noting the sentiments.
------------------
The Sunscreen Song
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you.
Sing
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…..the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, may be you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…..don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.
Dance..…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen…
I heard it a few evenings ago in the car.......it is worth noting the sentiments.
------------------
The Sunscreen Song
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you.
Sing
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…..the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, may be you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…..don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.
Dance..…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen…
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Australia Day 2010 - Darwin Style
A typical Australia Day in Darwin...........hot and humid......you do not even have to guess, except to consider if it might be raining!
Not much of that of late. An intermonsoonal period is the met-speak. And I mean zilch, nada, nothing. HOWEVER........it will return, and usually trys to make up for the rain gap.
While I did not go this year, a huge turnout at the Darwin regular Australia Day 5km fun run. So many, that relocating the event needs serious consideration, apparently, in media reports today. That must be a good thing.......getting a lot of part time runners, walkers and all sorts of related locomotion methods along to such a community event is a good thing. It is usually a lot of fun!
Our cul de sac had it's regular Australia Day Cricket Match. A lot of fun with always a few extras - friends of friends etc along, followed by ..........of course........... a BBQ. A good opportunity to meet with neighbours over a fun cricket match, a few drinks and the bbq. Close off the street and make a cricket wicket in the middle of the keyhole area at the end of the street, and use modified indoor cricket rules - sort of - with a few allowances for some people!
When you live in a cul de sac with only seven houses, and quite a few long term residents, you do actually know the neighbours, and what are now their young adults and significant others too, and their kids.
So the rain did not fall, although the humidity and the strong monsoonal west wind made it a hot sweaty event.
Not much of that of late. An intermonsoonal period is the met-speak. And I mean zilch, nada, nothing. HOWEVER........it will return, and usually trys to make up for the rain gap.
While I did not go this year, a huge turnout at the Darwin regular Australia Day 5km fun run. So many, that relocating the event needs serious consideration, apparently, in media reports today. That must be a good thing.......getting a lot of part time runners, walkers and all sorts of related locomotion methods along to such a community event is a good thing. It is usually a lot of fun!
Our cul de sac had it's regular Australia Day Cricket Match. A lot of fun with always a few extras - friends of friends etc along, followed by ..........of course........... a BBQ. A good opportunity to meet with neighbours over a fun cricket match, a few drinks and the bbq. Close off the street and make a cricket wicket in the middle of the keyhole area at the end of the street, and use modified indoor cricket rules - sort of - with a few allowances for some people!
When you live in a cul de sac with only seven houses, and quite a few long term residents, you do actually know the neighbours, and what are now their young adults and significant others too, and their kids.
So the rain did not fall, although the humidity and the strong monsoonal west wind made it a hot sweaty event.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Thunderheads
This last weekend has provided some sunshine, at least for much of each day, followed by late afternoon storms.
With storms, come thunderheads. The light was still strong when this photo was taken, so little of the texture and shadows seen in some thunderheads, when the light is much less. Impressive still, though.
When out in rural areas with more open skies, these storm heads are very impressive, even without the shadows. This one continued to rise for some time after this photo too........10- 15000 metres is quite common for the top of these monstrous cumulo-nimbus clouds in the tropics.
And yes, it did rain later!
With storms, come thunderheads. The light was still strong when this photo was taken, so little of the texture and shadows seen in some thunderheads, when the light is much less. Impressive still, though.
When out in rural areas with more open skies, these storm heads are very impressive, even without the shadows. This one continued to rise for some time after this photo too........10- 15000 metres is quite common for the top of these monstrous cumulo-nimbus clouds in the tropics.
And yes, it did rain later!
Saturday, 16 January 2010
A Bucket of Bolts
The home handy man usually keeps a few nuts and bolts around the house for the odd job or three. Some small, some a little larger, and often in a modest toolbox, easily carried and moved to the job. It makes it easy to get the right equipment as well as the correct bolt.
I am not sure that tool boxes of bolts and nuts are usually this large. They certainly need a fork lift or a small back hoe to move the pallet, so You need to come to the toolbox.
This is a LARGE box of bolts! But the bolts and nuts are not that large. I think they are for Armco railings on the renovated dam wall, nearby.
I am not sure that tool boxes of bolts and nuts are usually this large. They certainly need a fork lift or a small back hoe to move the pallet, so You need to come to the toolbox.
This is a LARGE box of bolts! But the bolts and nuts are not that large. I think they are for Armco railings on the renovated dam wall, nearby.
Sunday, 3 January 2010
The Monsoon Does Cometh
Although Cyclone Laurence by passed Darwin, it sure has brought heavy flood rains to much of temperate Australia in its aftermath, as it moved across the continent, after a lot of rain [ around 400mm] in the Darwin area over 3-4 days.
We now have another Tropical Low about 120kms west of Darwin, although expected to move south, and away from us as it develops into a cyclone, maybe.
But is has brought a deep monsoonal trough across north Australia with strong northwest winds and regular heavy squally monsoonal showers and the ocassional storm. Almost 70mm of rain yesterday, and maybe 20mm plus today, and more predicted.
It is wet........
We now have another Tropical Low about 120kms west of Darwin, although expected to move south, and away from us as it develops into a cyclone, maybe.
But is has brought a deep monsoonal trough across north Australia with strong northwest winds and regular heavy squally monsoonal showers and the ocassional storm. Almost 70mm of rain yesterday, and maybe 20mm plus today, and more predicted.
It is wet........
The met bureau is closely watching this low, but predictions are it will not effect Darwin apart from the heavy rain this coming week. See more on http://www.bom.gov.au/
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Great Drumming at Military Tattoo
While the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is actually in the northern summer, it is replayed on TV in Australia around New Year.
Watched it tonight, a wet monsoonal squally evening........very suitable for staying inside and a bit of TV watching.
While they have been on the show in some previous years, the Swiss military band, Top Secret wowed them again.
Watch the you tube clip........they are fantastic! You do not need words.......just watch. And they are not full time musicians either!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJVdnMAGIt8
Watched it tonight, a wet monsoonal squally evening........very suitable for staying inside and a bit of TV watching.
While they have been on the show in some previous years, the Swiss military band, Top Secret wowed them again.
Watch the you tube clip........they are fantastic! You do not need words.......just watch. And they are not full time musicians either!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJVdnMAGIt8
Monday, 28 December 2009
Gurrumul Wows Them in Paris - with Sting
I am a parochial fan of the aboriginal musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunipingu, commonly spoken of as Gurrumul. Fantastic melodious voice and he mostly sings in the local aboriginal language, including parts of this duet.
He is a very talented muso, and incidently, blind from birth.
Recently while performing as a single gig on the very highly rated French TV music show Taratata just prior to Christmas, he also featured in a great duet with Sting singing the Police classic song -" Every Move you Make". While Sting definitely seems to hog the limelight, there has been a fantastic response from the French audience, as well as locally in Darwin.
He wowed audiences AGAIN during this European tour.........
See it here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhPD5b4g5CE . Audio quality is not great hi fi, but adequate!
or watch it yourself:
There are many written reviews about the duet as well, and they will turn up in a Google search.
He is a very talented muso, and incidently, blind from birth.
Recently while performing as a single gig on the very highly rated French TV music show Taratata just prior to Christmas, he also featured in a great duet with Sting singing the Police classic song -" Every Move you Make". While Sting definitely seems to hog the limelight, there has been a fantastic response from the French audience, as well as locally in Darwin.
He wowed audiences AGAIN during this European tour.........
See it here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhPD5b4g5CE . Audio quality is not great hi fi, but adequate!
or watch it yourself:
There are many written reviews about the duet as well, and they will turn up in a Google search.
Friday, 25 December 2009
The End of the Drought?
As ex tropical cyclone Laurence moves east across temperate Australia, it is delivering flood rains to much of western and south western NSW, after already dumping heavy rains across the inland areas. Rainfalls of over 100mm, and up to 200mm, are being predicted for many areas of NSW and South west Queensland over today, Christmas Day and through to tomorrow. This is the best one day and two day falls in over ten years!
Many rivers and low areas are expected to flood. Some have already. BUT, hey......this might be drought breaking rain.
The national met bureau says it all.........monster rain clouds across eastern Australia.
Monday, 21 December 2009
What a Blow - Cyclone Laurence!
Cyclone Laurence is crossing the NW WA coast as I write this, with winds around 290km/hr, a Cat 5 cyclone.
Although the area is relatively uninhabited, poor old Sandfire Roadhouse is getting a big blast .......AGAIN. Not a nice Christmas present.
This is real "Cyclone Alley" in Australia.
For more read: http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDW24100.txt
There is a link to the cyclone track here -http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDW60281.shtml
It is likely to bring refreshing rain and winds predicted above 100km/hr to Central Australia over the next few days, and might extend the rain into the dry western areas of NSW as well after that.
Although the area is relatively uninhabited, poor old Sandfire Roadhouse is getting a big blast .......AGAIN. Not a nice Christmas present.
This is real "Cyclone Alley" in Australia.
For more read: http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDW24100.txt
There is a link to the cyclone track here -http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDW60281.shtml
It is likely to bring refreshing rain and winds predicted above 100km/hr to Central Australia over the next few days, and might extend the rain into the dry western areas of NSW as well after that.
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Can't Get Christmassy
I just can’t get Christmassy. It seems to happen regularly in this environment, around this time of year.
The tropics, especially in the Southern hemisphere are just not conducive to thinking Christmas.
It is stinking damn hot – humid, hot, very hot, hot and very hot, mostly without too much rain, just enough for the ground to be wet from a shower or storm so when the sun comes out after rain it is around 95 – 195% humidity. You sweat [ note SWEAT – even ladies do more than ”glow”] while standing still in this weather. It is very hot and tricky to get Christmas cooking done, let alone to ensure the products can be kept in good condition for Christmas.
Then there is the issue that school and the academic year finish in early December in Australia, and the long annual vacation starts. This is geared around the temperate cycle of southern Australia, where these sorts of decisions get made or were made in eons past, to be imposed on those hardy souls in the tropics. In the northern hemisphere education is not in vacation mode at this time.
Because of this, everyone wants things completed before they go away.
Around this point, and the fact that the weather is about to get very wet, and even more humid, every contractor and workman is urging forwards to finish work, so they can either go on holidays too, or to get it all done before very wet weather sets in during monsoonal periods, making outside work difficult, while still complaining about the hot weather.
It is also the time for cultivating and planting crops, pastures and hay fields. If that is not done in a timely manner, then they do not grow well, and poor outcomes result. Once again, it makes for a time constrained, stressful, critical period........and not too easy to feel Christmassy, or find the time to feel that way.
I think of the northern hemisphere and the tabloid depictions of Christmas – snow, inside warm houses, short days, cooking and general Christmas preparations and lovely glowing Christmassy lights. Work is slacking off a little, after the more frantic activities of the days of summer and fall when a lot of outside construction and agricultural work is done. Education and academia are well into a new academic year, and while there is a break around Christmas, it is not the 6 - 12 weeks seen in Australia. Sure, it is cold, but then that is part of the Christmas ethos, and also related to warm plum pudding and similar goodies.
It is hard to get Christmassy – too time poor and it is too hot, and people are too busy.
It is not about being like the Christmas grinch or the rest of the anti- Christmas forces. It is not about anti religious zeal or anything related to Christianity. One would like to be Christmassy, a bit more upbeat about the celebrations and all they mean. Please find me a bit of spare time.
So what is to be done?
Some wags have a Christmas in July celebration here in Darwin. But that is a bit hard, when NO ONE else does that.
Is the option to go north for Christmas an answer, succumb to the cold of the northern hemisphere? Will that recreate part of the Christmas spirit?
The tropics, especially in the Southern hemisphere are just not conducive to thinking Christmas.
It is stinking damn hot – humid, hot, very hot, hot and very hot, mostly without too much rain, just enough for the ground to be wet from a shower or storm so when the sun comes out after rain it is around 95 – 195% humidity. You sweat [ note SWEAT – even ladies do more than ”glow”] while standing still in this weather. It is very hot and tricky to get Christmas cooking done, let alone to ensure the products can be kept in good condition for Christmas.
Then there is the issue that school and the academic year finish in early December in Australia, and the long annual vacation starts. This is geared around the temperate cycle of southern Australia, where these sorts of decisions get made or were made in eons past, to be imposed on those hardy souls in the tropics. In the northern hemisphere education is not in vacation mode at this time.
Because of this, everyone wants things completed before they go away.
Around this point, and the fact that the weather is about to get very wet, and even more humid, every contractor and workman is urging forwards to finish work, so they can either go on holidays too, or to get it all done before very wet weather sets in during monsoonal periods, making outside work difficult, while still complaining about the hot weather.
It is also the time for cultivating and planting crops, pastures and hay fields. If that is not done in a timely manner, then they do not grow well, and poor outcomes result. Once again, it makes for a time constrained, stressful, critical period........and not too easy to feel Christmassy, or find the time to feel that way.
I think of the northern hemisphere and the tabloid depictions of Christmas – snow, inside warm houses, short days, cooking and general Christmas preparations and lovely glowing Christmassy lights. Work is slacking off a little, after the more frantic activities of the days of summer and fall when a lot of outside construction and agricultural work is done. Education and academia are well into a new academic year, and while there is a break around Christmas, it is not the 6 - 12 weeks seen in Australia. Sure, it is cold, but then that is part of the Christmas ethos, and also related to warm plum pudding and similar goodies.
It is hard to get Christmassy – too time poor and it is too hot, and people are too busy.
It is not about being like the Christmas grinch or the rest of the anti- Christmas forces. It is not about anti religious zeal or anything related to Christianity. One would like to be Christmassy, a bit more upbeat about the celebrations and all they mean. Please find me a bit of spare time.
So what is to be done?
Some wags have a Christmas in July celebration here in Darwin. But that is a bit hard, when NO ONE else does that.
Is the option to go north for Christmas an answer, succumb to the cold of the northern hemisphere? Will that recreate part of the Christmas spirit?
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Update - on a Cyclone for Christmas
It by passed us, but as I write this on Wednesday evening Darwin time, it has developed significantly, moving west and south west in the Timor Sea close to the NW of WA, but generally staying offshore.
This morning it quickly ramped up from a category 2 [ late last night] to a category 3 and then by mid morning had moved to a Category 5 - the highest, and was skirting the coast. It crossed the NW Western Australia coast near Cockatoo island, an isolated area, an hour or two ago as a category 5 cyclone - with winds to 285km/hr, although now weakening slightly to a Category 4 system, and winds have fallen by 30 - 50km/hr, and continuing to fall as the cyclone moves across land. However, now the small township of Derby is in it's path. Tropical Cyclone Laurence is not done YET!
All we had was a rather damp weekend - with a mere 385mm of rain over the weekend. There were some local areas around Darwin with over 450mm over the weekend, and it was wet wet wet, with some wild winds to around 100km/hr. Today here was overcast with very high UV levels and ocassional sunshine [ I know about the UV - got a bit sunburnt while outside working - building a new oval], with monsoonal showers and a late storm.
The rain is vital to our area, even if it all falls over a short period. At least our local water dams are close to full from this wet event, so that is great.
This morning it quickly ramped up from a category 2 [ late last night] to a category 3 and then by mid morning had moved to a Category 5 - the highest, and was skirting the coast. It crossed the NW Western Australia coast near Cockatoo island, an isolated area, an hour or two ago as a category 5 cyclone - with winds to 285km/hr, although now weakening slightly to a Category 4 system, and winds have fallen by 30 - 50km/hr, and continuing to fall as the cyclone moves across land. However, now the small township of Derby is in it's path. Tropical Cyclone Laurence is not done YET!
All we had was a rather damp weekend - with a mere 385mm of rain over the weekend. There were some local areas around Darwin with over 450mm over the weekend, and it was wet wet wet, with some wild winds to around 100km/hr. Today here was overcast with very high UV levels and ocassional sunshine [ I know about the UV - got a bit sunburnt while outside working - building a new oval], with monsoonal showers and a late storm.
The rain is vital to our area, even if it all falls over a short period. At least our local water dams are close to full from this wet event, so that is great.
Friday, 11 December 2009
A Cyclone as a Christmas Present?
Been there done that, as they say!
We have a cyclone brewing up NE of Darwin, and moving slowly west into the Timor Sea. The metereological models show the system continuing to move west, out into the Timor Sea, maybe even going a bit SW. It is still a tropical low, but development to a cyclone is expected over the next 24 hours
But the models are not perfect, and as all the major cyclones to effect Darwin including the devestating 1974 Christmas present of Cyclone Tracy have brewed in the Timor Sea, one is always a little cautious when one is developing in that area. Cyclones are notoriously fickle in their direction, although the tools for survelliance are much better in 2009 than in 1974.
It is predicted to be a damp weekend. Dampness = cloud cover = a bit lower temperatures, so that will be a possible relief.
A quite vigorous strom hit the Darwin area last evening, around 2100hrs, with some brilliant lightning shows. Winds to over 80km/hr, plenty of broken tree branches today, but that is modest compared to cyclonic winds.
It will be a weekend of careful watching.
We have a cyclone brewing up NE of Darwin, and moving slowly west into the Timor Sea. The metereological models show the system continuing to move west, out into the Timor Sea, maybe even going a bit SW. It is still a tropical low, but development to a cyclone is expected over the next 24 hours
But the models are not perfect, and as all the major cyclones to effect Darwin including the devestating 1974 Christmas present of Cyclone Tracy have brewed in the Timor Sea, one is always a little cautious when one is developing in that area. Cyclones are notoriously fickle in their direction, although the tools for survelliance are much better in 2009 than in 1974.
It is predicted to be a damp weekend. Dampness = cloud cover = a bit lower temperatures, so that will be a possible relief.
A quite vigorous strom hit the Darwin area last evening, around 2100hrs, with some brilliant lightning shows. Winds to over 80km/hr, plenty of broken tree branches today, but that is modest compared to cyclonic winds.
It will be a weekend of careful watching.
Thursday, 10 December 2009
England to Darwin - by AIR
Today is the 90th anniversary of the arrival in Darwin of the first plane to travel from England to Australia BY AIR.
The Vickers Vimy plane piloted by the Smith brothers [Ross and Keith] arrived here about 1530hrs on December 1o 1919, effectively creating the air route between Europe and Australia.
The outcome of this feat was the creation of the Queensland and Northern Territory Air Services, or more commonly known as QANTAS.
There will be a modest remembrance this afternoon, near the cairn at Fannie Bay, where they crossed the coast to then land on the airstrip, which is now Ross Smith Avenue, in Fannie Bay.
A previous post also discusses the road travels by the pioneers who had to build airstrips further south in the NT and Queensland for the participants in the air race. Yes, it was a race, with a prize equal in value to about A$2.5 million today, offered by the Australian government.
It was a very major achievement, and rarely thought about today, especially outside Darwin. Darwin has been, and still is a major entry point for the welcome and unwelcome visitors to Australia - right to the present with many refugee boats arriving here, or heading to here [ often intercepted before getting this far], vigorous and frequent Japanese bombings in WW2, Vietnamese refugee boats, the original England - Australia telegraph cable and others.
More detail - click on the link:http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Vickers%20Vimy%20G-EAOU%20crew.htm
Some photos to come later.
The Vickers Vimy plane piloted by the Smith brothers [Ross and Keith] arrived here about 1530hrs on December 1o 1919, effectively creating the air route between Europe and Australia.
The outcome of this feat was the creation of the Queensland and Northern Territory Air Services, or more commonly known as QANTAS.
There will be a modest remembrance this afternoon, near the cairn at Fannie Bay, where they crossed the coast to then land on the airstrip, which is now Ross Smith Avenue, in Fannie Bay.
A previous post also discusses the road travels by the pioneers who had to build airstrips further south in the NT and Queensland for the participants in the air race. Yes, it was a race, with a prize equal in value to about A$2.5 million today, offered by the Australian government.
It was a very major achievement, and rarely thought about today, especially outside Darwin. Darwin has been, and still is a major entry point for the welcome and unwelcome visitors to Australia - right to the present with many refugee boats arriving here, or heading to here [ often intercepted before getting this far], vigorous and frequent Japanese bombings in WW2, Vietnamese refugee boats, the original England - Australia telegraph cable and others.
More detail - click on the link:http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Vickers%20Vimy%20G-EAOU%20crew.htm
Some photos to come later.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Friday, 20 November 2009
Even More Crocodiles for the Newspaper Front Page
The local newspaper in Darwin is renowned for having crocodile stories on the front page. Afterall, the local region is a very significant crocodile region with large areas of crocodile habitat and many large crocodiles.
Below is a superb new crocodile story.........will it make the NT News front page? Will Wicking produce a cartoon to match?
These are momentous decisions for the highly acclaimed editors at the newspaper.
However, it is an interesting thought......a world full of crocodiles. How would Swamp the cartoon character in the newspaper handle so many competitors?
New fossils reveal world full of crocodiles
New fossils unearthed in the Sahara desert reveal a once-swampy world divided up among a half-dozen species of unusual and perhaps intelligent crocodiles, researchers have found.
Researchers have given some of the new species snappy names - BoarCroc, RatCroc, DogCroc, DuckCroc and PancakeCroc - but say their findings help build an understanding of how crocodilians were and remain such a successful life form.
They lived during the Cretaceous period 145 million to 65 million years ago, when the continents were closer together and the world was warmer and wetter than it is now. Some walked upright with their legs under the body like a land mammal instead of sprawled out to the sides, bellies touching the ground. "We were surprised to find so many species from the same time in the same place," said paleontologist Hans Larsson of McGill University in Montreal. "Each of the crocs apparently had different diets, different behaviours. It appears they had divided up the ecosystem, each species taking advantage of it in its own way."
Mr Larsson and Paul Sereno from the University of Chicago, funded by National Geographic, studied the jaws, teeth and what few bones they had of the crocodiles. They also did CT scans to see inside the skulls.
Two of the species, DogCroc and DuckCroc, had brains that looked different from those of modern crocodiles.
"They may have had slightly more sophisticated brain function than living crocs because active hunting on land usually requires more brain power than merely waiting for prey to show up," Mr Larsson said.
RatCroc, a new species formally named Araripesuchus rattoides, was found in Morocco and would have used its buck-toothed lower jaw to grub for food.
PancakeCroc, known as Laganosuchus thaumastos, was six metres long with a big, flat head.
DuckCroc represents new fossils found in Niger from a previously known species called Anatosuchus minor. It would have eaten grubs and frogs with its broad snout.
The more ferocious BoarCroc was also six metres long but ran upright and had a jaw built for ramming, with three pairs of knife-like teeth.
"Their amphibious talents in the past may be the key to understanding how they flourished in, and ultimately survived, the dinosaur era," Mr Sereno said.
[sourced from ABC web site ex Reuters]
Below is a superb new crocodile story.........will it make the NT News front page? Will Wicking produce a cartoon to match?
These are momentous decisions for the highly acclaimed editors at the newspaper.
However, it is an interesting thought......a world full of crocodiles. How would Swamp the cartoon character in the newspaper handle so many competitors?
New fossils reveal world full of crocodiles
New fossils unearthed in the Sahara desert reveal a once-swampy world divided up among a half-dozen species of unusual and perhaps intelligent crocodiles, researchers have found.
Researchers have given some of the new species snappy names - BoarCroc, RatCroc, DogCroc, DuckCroc and PancakeCroc - but say their findings help build an understanding of how crocodilians were and remain such a successful life form.
They lived during the Cretaceous period 145 million to 65 million years ago, when the continents were closer together and the world was warmer and wetter than it is now. Some walked upright with their legs under the body like a land mammal instead of sprawled out to the sides, bellies touching the ground. "We were surprised to find so many species from the same time in the same place," said paleontologist Hans Larsson of McGill University in Montreal. "Each of the crocs apparently had different diets, different behaviours. It appears they had divided up the ecosystem, each species taking advantage of it in its own way."
Mr Larsson and Paul Sereno from the University of Chicago, funded by National Geographic, studied the jaws, teeth and what few bones they had of the crocodiles. They also did CT scans to see inside the skulls.
Two of the species, DogCroc and DuckCroc, had brains that looked different from those of modern crocodiles.
"They may have had slightly more sophisticated brain function than living crocs because active hunting on land usually requires more brain power than merely waiting for prey to show up," Mr Larsson said.
RatCroc, a new species formally named Araripesuchus rattoides, was found in Morocco and would have used its buck-toothed lower jaw to grub for food.
PancakeCroc, known as Laganosuchus thaumastos, was six metres long with a big, flat head.
DuckCroc represents new fossils found in Niger from a previously known species called Anatosuchus minor. It would have eaten grubs and frogs with its broad snout.
The more ferocious BoarCroc was also six metres long but ran upright and had a jaw built for ramming, with three pairs of knife-like teeth.
"Their amphibious talents in the past may be the key to understanding how they flourished in, and ultimately survived, the dinosaur era," Mr Sereno said.
[sourced from ABC web site ex Reuters]
Saturday, 14 November 2009
It Is NOT Frog Weather Now
Having a short sojourn in the city of churches.......of Australia [ every country has one don't they?], Adelaide.
It is stinking HOT..............a week of temperatures around 38 - 39C, with the big 40 predicted for tomorrow, with more to come next week.
And super low humidity. Definitely hiding time for sensible monsoon frogs. Should have stayed home, it has been ideal humid and stormy weather in Darwin this week. However, I am engaged in serious humanitarian deeds for a week or two in the city of Adelaide.
Here people hide during the day, as the temperature builds up, slowly to emerge after the sun descends into oblivion. Or, alternatively, hide in the air conditioned buildings during the day. The high temperatures are not so bad, being used to that, but everything you touch is RED HOT, as the sun is very fierce.
There is a major equestrian event here this weekend, and the horses will be under a bit of stress as they compete. I thought it was only mad dogs and Englishmen who went out into the midday sun, but it seems the horsey set do too.
It is stinking HOT..............a week of temperatures around 38 - 39C, with the big 40 predicted for tomorrow, with more to come next week.
And super low humidity. Definitely hiding time for sensible monsoon frogs. Should have stayed home, it has been ideal humid and stormy weather in Darwin this week. However, I am engaged in serious humanitarian deeds for a week or two in the city of Adelaide.
Here people hide during the day, as the temperature builds up, slowly to emerge after the sun descends into oblivion. Or, alternatively, hide in the air conditioned buildings during the day. The high temperatures are not so bad, being used to that, but everything you touch is RED HOT, as the sun is very fierce.
There is a major equestrian event here this weekend, and the horses will be under a bit of stress as they compete. I thought it was only mad dogs and Englishmen who went out into the midday sun, but it seems the horsey set do too.
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Yellow Flowers - But Be Quick
I have been photographing a few local "significant" trees recently.
Yes, as I said, it is that time of year when many trees flower. So they can set seeds into the wet season, and hopefully germinate a few replacement seeds that will become new trees.
While there have been a few over the past few weeks, this past week has been the time for weeping rosewood trees to do their thing. They have a beautiful, pendulous crown and the shade under a weeping rosewood is very dense, for all of about 50 weeks each year.......not 52 though.
They have been flowering this past week or so, and they are very eyecatching with a large dense crown thoroughly covered in bright golden flowers. But you need to be quick, as the flowers are really an "all or nothing" event, rapidly going from bright yellow flowers to almost no colour as the flowers are rapidly shed onto tthe ground. THEN........they lose most of the leaves, but for about 1-2 weeks, during which time they look awful. It is not uncommon for newcomers to think the tree has died, or maybe, succumbed to termites.
Then a verdant green replacement set of leaves arrives on the scene, for another year.
One photo is of a single tree, not far from our house two days ago - in full colour. It is magnificent. The others are of a group of trees on a major road - yesterday they were still resplendent in yellow, but today........look hard and see what is left of the flowers, as a pale yellow brown tinge.......with leaf fall to come. It happens that quickly.
Yes, as I said, it is that time of year when many trees flower. So they can set seeds into the wet season, and hopefully germinate a few replacement seeds that will become new trees.
While there have been a few over the past few weeks, this past week has been the time for weeping rosewood trees to do their thing. They have a beautiful, pendulous crown and the shade under a weeping rosewood is very dense, for all of about 50 weeks each year.......not 52 though.
They have been flowering this past week or so, and they are very eyecatching with a large dense crown thoroughly covered in bright golden flowers. But you need to be quick, as the flowers are really an "all or nothing" event, rapidly going from bright yellow flowers to almost no colour as the flowers are rapidly shed onto tthe ground. THEN........they lose most of the leaves, but for about 1-2 weeks, during which time they look awful. It is not uncommon for newcomers to think the tree has died, or maybe, succumbed to termites.
Then a verdant green replacement set of leaves arrives on the scene, for another year.
One photo is of a single tree, not far from our house two days ago - in full colour. It is magnificent. The others are of a group of trees on a major road - yesterday they were still resplendent in yellow, but today........look hard and see what is left of the flowers, as a pale yellow brown tinge.......with leaf fall to come. It happens that quickly.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Frog Night
Last night was Frog Night. It rained, about 25mm, the best fall so far this Wet Season and the first decent fall for a month. It rained steadily over about 45 minutes, then eased to a sprinkle.
And the green tree frogs started to bark, and bark.........so loud it was hard to hear inside the house.
Many do not believe how loud they can be and how many there are around, especially in our area. Most local gardens have good surface mulch and they seem to enjoy living in that, but last night they were out singing in their numbers.
Only the males make a loud bark........looking for a mate. That is one way I guess, you need to let them know you are around.
Tonight the noise is not so loud, but there are still quite a few lurking around in the garden.
The green tree frogs seem to have not suffered major reductions in numbers due to the arrival of the horrible Cane Toads, at least so far in urban areas.
While they are very loud after rain it is nice to know they are around. But ladies, take care when going to the toilet; at least turn on the light...........green tree frogs in the loo are common and the hands are clammy. [so I am told!] Definitely better than a redback spider on the toilet seat though.
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