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REALITY
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Jan 14, 2011 2:03 am
572 Views
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Some people can argue the case for anything.
They can argue that blue is red. Or that up is down.
Or that pigs can fly.
These statements are very clever and convincing.
No matter how persuasive they may be, though, they cannot actually change reality
[centre] [centre]
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THIS IS FOR ANEMAC
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Jan 13, 2011 11:43 am
707 Views
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JUST ONCE IN YOUR LIFE
Sometimes, if you are really fortunate, someone will come into your life and change it for the better.
It may not be obvious at the time... but as years go by you appreciate what this person’s friendship has meant.
I was one of these fortunate people. Many years ago someone came into my life who was to change my life forever.
Back then I played around with needlework and craft and was experimenting with needlework landscapes.
This person recognised my potential and came to my house one day and said “I really like what you are doing. Maybe I can help you.”
Ron was a wonderful landscape artist and master of gum trees.
I had admired his work for years before I knew him. I didn’t know whether to be scared, take his offer seriously or quite what to think.
He offered to lend me a couple of his paintings and said “Try to copy them and see how you go.”
So I did ... with a lot of encouragement from Ron, his wife Shirley and daughter Ann.
How many times I tripped over to their place with a wreck of a painting... looking for advice. But Ron always had words of encouragement.
I never framed a painting without first showing it to Ron.
Over the years we all became great friends. Sadly his wife Shirley became ill. He cared for Shirley through her illness right to the end and she died at home.
I remember Ron saying “I will never paint again.” He was so broken-hearted. It ran through my mind “Yes you will, in time, if I have anything to do with it.”
This man was not only a wonderful artist, he was also a wonderful musician. He also invented a photo finish camera and sold it in other countries, which was to lead them to travelling extensively before his wife became ill.
Of course he knew all about cameras and guided me into buying my first digital camera.
I kept showing him photos of the mountains. One day he said “This almost makes me want to paint again.” I had that photograph blown up and accidentally (on purpose) left it as his place.
When I was asked to teach painting I thought “How can I do that when I am always struggling myself?”
With Ron’s encouragement I agreed to try for three months. Two years later I am still teaching and have a waiting list of potential pupils.
Ron became not only a great friend. He became my mentor... not just in art but with lots of things in everyday life. Just as he encouraged me to paint, he also encouraged me to travel.
I had heard so many of the wonderful stories from him and his wife about their travels.
This man was self-taught in everything. He left school at an early age and worked at the local newspaper. He eventually bought that newspaper which was just the beginning of many other business he was to create through his life.
He was a very humble man and although he achieved many great things, to him it was just life. You do the best with what you have at the time. He lived a very simple life and his want for material things was very small.
Ron was not a religious man, however I have yet to meet anyone who fits my description of a Christian more than he.
He was always willing to help someone and never did I hear him say anything bad about anyone.
A few months ago he himself became ill, but he never gave up the fight to live.
The last time I took him for a drive, Ron found a scene to paint. He said “I can’t paint it, but you can with my help.”
Unfortunately, now I will have to try and paint it without his help. I know it will never be as good as if he helped me, but I will try as my tribute to his memory.
During my last telephone conversation with Ron, I told him pretty much what I have written here. How he was my mentor... and how much he has helped me... and how much I respected and admired him. I am so pleased I did this, because I was never to see him again.
I will miss him and his wisdom and encouragement... but also I will miss his sense of humour.
However I will never forget how fortunate I have been that Ron came into my life. I would never have been an artist, were it not for him.
If I can achieve half as much in my lifetime as Ron did in his 85 years, I will be satisfied.
Ane I posted on your blog a little late about your friend Paul
..I know just the loss you are feeling we are lucky we have had such friends even though it is hard to lose them and loss goes on for a long long time
i have posted with on the paintings I did with his help
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10
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JUST PASSING THROUGH
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Jan 12, 2011 4:13 am
616 Views
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I was listening to this song sung by Charlie Landsborough My all time favourite singer
If you google the title you can listen to it on quite a few sites
like most of his songs they have a great message
How true are these words...............we are such a small fish in a bigpond and of little consequence in the scheme of things in the world
I met a man at the airport
Going home cause his brother had died
I tried to soften his sorrow
He smiled at me and replied
We're all passin through
Do unto others as you'd have done to you
Do what you can
You're fellow man is travelin too
We're all passin through
I keep his words in my memory
They keep my heart from consent
It's a lesson for livin
I'd pass on to all that I meet
We're all passin through
Do unto others as you'd have done to you
Do what you can
You're fellow man is travelin too
We're all passin through
No one knows how long their journey may be
Its not how far but how well you've traveled
That god will see
The old man smiled and departed
Our brief encounter ended
He left the seeds of a memory
And words I'll never forget
We're all passin through
Do unto others as you'd have done to you
Do what you can
You're fellow man is travelin too
We're all passin through
We're all passin through
Do unto others as you'd have done to you
Do what you can
You're fellow man is travelin too
We're all passin through
Passing Through Lyrics
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I JUST KNEW IT WOULD HAPPEN (shootings in AZ)
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Jan 10, 2011 12:32 pm
1131 Views
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The blogs have become so predicable I just knew who would write and turn them into a political event to further their beliefs
I also could name the ones that would comment and agree In my opinion they are as guilty as the blogger
Mrs Joe showed her compassion very well
60 minutes also echoed Mrs Joe there was also good comments from VBG and Willy
The Grouch no wonder you are such an angry man I sympathized with you with your personal life now I feel you are just one angry person I was very disappointed in your blog
Skipper I was not surprised nor was I surprised at the comments………I fell sorry for you all that you have so little compassion you cannot think past your own selfish opinions
Stillwater what ever happened to the gentle kind man with such a beautiful Fiancé
This is not the America I know nor the SFF I once knew
Once I could log on and read two pages of blogs of interest now lucky if there is half a page of hate and nastiness
Let me remind you of another terrible tragedy
Ten girls were shot in an Amish school at Nickel Mines, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on 2006-OCT-03 by a lone gunman.
Reporters from throughout the world invaded Lancaster County, PA to cover the story. However, in the hours and days following the shooting a different, an unexpected story developed.
In the midst of their grief over this shocking loss, the Amish community didn't cast blame, they didn't point fingers, they didn't hold a press conference with attorneys at their sides. Instead, they reached out with grace and compassion toward the killer's family.
The afternoon of the shooting an Amish grandfather of one of the girls who was killed expressed forgiveness toward the killer, Charles Roberts. That same day Amish neighbors visited the Roberts family to comfort them in their sorrow and pain.
And another one in my country that shocked the world
The Port Arthur massacre of 28 April 1996 was a killing spree which claimed the lives of 35 people and wounded 21 others mainly at the historic [1] Port Arthur prison colony, a popular tourist site in south-eastern Tasmania, Australia.[2] Martin Bryant, a 28-year-old from New Town, a suburb of Hobart, eventually pleaded guilty to the crimes and was given 35 life sentences without possibility of parole.[3] He is now interned in the Wilfred Lopes Centre[4] near Risdon Prison. The Port Arthur massacre remains Australia's deadliest killing spree and one of the deadliest such incidents worldwide in recent times.
There also came from this story a hero who lost his family that showed compassion and worked for many years to help the families of the victims
These People represent the True Americans and Australians
Thank god most of us are caring compassionate people and the few such as I have named are the minority
There is much written on these two tragedies I have named take time to read and see how the victims families reacted and take heed
Now I know some will try and have this blog banned don’t worry I fear not There are many places to blog this site is not the be all and end all
I just hope some will take a good look at themselves and their reaction and perhaps feel a little more compassion and a little less selfishness of the ME and MY opinions
To turn this latest tragedy into a political witch hunt is a tragedy in itself it is like putting the lid on a boiling kettle
Dont bother to comment and say the circumstances were different see how well I can predict
Ps The Photo is one I took of a similar Amish school in PA in my travels
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ARE WE MISSING SOMETHING?
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Jan 3, 2011 3:37 am
751 Views
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Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3 year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.
45 minutes:
The musician played. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.
He collected $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ....
How many other things are we missing?
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WHO IS GOING TO HELP US?
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Jan 1, 2011 11:44 pm
820 Views
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Many have asked me about the floods to give some idea of the mammoth proportion of devestation it has been described of Biblical proportions
Queensland is the second largest state in Australia, covering an area of 1,730,650 square kilometres and with a coastline stretching for 7,400 kilometres. Queensland is seven times the size of the United Kingdom, or five times the size of Japan, or twice the size of Texas. The population is 3.5 million, of whom nearly half live in Brisbane.
This is not one River or one Town or city it is half the state in flood and some for the 3rd time in a month
There are also floods in other states
Most of this land is very rich farming land just recovering from 10 years of drought
What a difference a few months make
Ms Bligh said 22 towns or cities in Queensland were inundated or isolated and the disaster was still unfolding.
Ms Gillard announced hardship payments of $1000 an adult and $400 a child for those whose homes had been swamped or damaged.
Does she really know what $1000 will buy when you have lost everything
The Australian Government's overseas aid program in Indonesia will provide A$458.7 million (approximately 3.8 trillion rupiah) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2010-11. Xmas eve they announced an extra $5 million
In the past few years the Government has spent not millions…..But Billions taking water rights of farmers …….and now it will all flood
Just another mismanagement I don’t hold much hope of them helping the flood victims
They also just donated millions to the global warming Oops they call it climate control now since so many have had egg on the faces
I bet not many Northern hemisphere believe it after the record snows and freezes …….and I saw one scientist say the floods were caused by the climate change
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IN REPLY TO RUGGED
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Dec 31, 2010 4:19 pm
1182 Views
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Did you ever hear about the kid that never grew up……..WELL SHE IS HERE
Your blog sure did make me think……….Because unfortunately I think your spin on woman is true ……correction lots of woman
I have seen it in real life and seen it on here……….
As for me my life only started at 55 the time most people are just starting to get really settled in their little comfort zone in 5 years they wont be moved they then expect someone to make their life exciting or make it possible for them to escape the misery they live in.
I moved house this year 300ks away from where I had lived for 34 years ….You would not believe the negativity and arguments I encountered as to why I should stay………YOU cant sell this beautiful house well I did after 3 years of trying why did it take 3 years because people like me don’t want to live there anymore
I wanted something I could just shut the door and go without worrying about half an acre of garden
You wont know anyone…….well it didn’t take me long to meet people
You will freeze to death down there…….little did they know that it is actually colder where I came from BUT THE REAL BLESSING IS………today it is 25celcius here and 38 there. I am like the flowers I wilt in the heat especially when it goes on for weeks
Why did I move because I watched these women…..going to the same meetings day after day meeting the same people ……they were supposed to be different meetings but in my book they just changed the title Oh Yeah they knit as well…….
I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life in a dying town pretending I was filling my life with good things.I wanted to do things before I got too old and my body just wouldn’t allow me
HEY I may look old but I am only 40 inside. LOL and I am not wasting time
I encountered the same thing traveling the world solo the most common question was not WHERE do you come from
BUT YOU ARE NOT TRAVELLING ALONE>Shock Horror like I said I may look old but I am only 40 inside You know the saying Young at heart slightly older in other places
People envy my lifestyle BUT with a little grit and hard work like I did to make it possible anyone can have it
I never had opportunities in early life and it took me quite a while and a lot of hard work to get in the position I could have this lifestyle.
I am not here to make my kids rich…………They are grown and it is up to them to make their life……..which they have done surprisingly well I did my job served my purpose they don’t need me to live their lives for them much nicer to be friends than a mother anyway
You talk of Peterpan and Tinkerbelle well I will add one more The Barbie doll……….and some men do want this it is good for their ego to have a beautiful women hanging on their arm……and there are plenty on this site that fit both images
when I see some of the photos I say to myself......c'mon who are you kidding....just your self
Me being a realist…….I look old but what the hell I don’t care and I am dam sure I am not wasting half my life trying to look as young as I feel
I am me LIFE is Great if I don’t fit the mould people expect that is their problem not mine.
Incidentally I have made great friends and met them in real life from this site in quite a few countries…which is actually the reason I joined …..it has certainly added to my adventures
I have been in my new place 8 months and I love it more each day its almost like being on holiday……..hmmmmmmmm now what will I do or where will I go today
Why do I have this attitude to life…….MY dearest sister dropped dead at 53 without ever doing a thing I may have lost my best friend BUT Iearnt a very valuable lesson …….It could be me tomorrow
Happy New year everyone …….Lifes what you make and only you can make it..no one can do it for you
Rugged once again thankyou for making me think and count my blessings I hope 2011 is the best year ever for you
 oh to be like these little boys life is just full of bubbles
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WHEN YOU LIVE IN A FANTASY WORLD.....you will get caught sooner or later
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Dec 20, 2010 10:37 pm
644 Views
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AN elderly fraudster who falsely claimed $690,000 in benefits for being a prisoner of war will spend his first actual night behind bars tonight after being jailed for four years.
The District Court in Brisbane heard the amazing tale of Arthur Rex Crane who wove a tale of fantasy in which he was a teenage World War II guerilla fighter who was captured and tortured by the Japanese in Malaya.
On the basis of his story Crane rose to the highest positions of the prisoner of war groups, which in the end was the catalyst for exposing him as fraud.
Crane had spent WWII as a schoolboy in Adelaide and had in fact never served in any military.
The court heard Crane was exposed after he was guest speaker at a prisoner of war ceremony at Ballarat in 2009 and inconsistencies in his story were noticed by a military historian in the audience, Lynette Silver.
Ms Silver said she immediately recognised that Crane could not have done what he claimed.
"It seems extraordinary that this really got past the authorities, and it makes you wonder exactly what was going on at the time."
Ms Silver said the matter should be investigated.
"I'd like to see exactly who signed off on this, and exactly why."
Ms Silver said there was a lot of anecdotal evidence of many others fraudulently receiving pensions that they did not deserve for military service.
Veterans Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon said in a statement that the department works hard to ensure that veterans receive their lawful entitlements.
"All allegations of fraud are investigated thoroughly," he said.
"The department has a dedicated compliance section that investigates all suspected cases of fraudulent activity.
"Other ongoing measures that act as a deterrent are proof of identity checks and departmentally initiated reviews."
Crane, 84, pleaded guilty to defrauding the Commonwealth and obtaining a financial benefit from the Commonwealth by deception, on various dates between 1988 and 2009.
He detailed how Crane had been running a hotel in South Australia when he met two legitimate prisoners of war and he helped them.
Crane had become fascinated by their stories and developed an interest in their war experiences.
He had moved to Queensland in 1984 and became involved with more PoWs where he felt accepted.
Crane applied for the TPI and told a story that as a 16 year old he fought with a Malay guerrilla group during the war which had specialised in sabotage and demolition.
Crane claimed he was captured in 1942 by the Japanese and spent most of the war in prison and being forced to work on the infamous Burma railway.
He told stories of being tortured and left with physical and mental injuries.
Judge Irwin said it appeared Crane chose the guerrilla unit because it was under British control and records were not readily available.
"You presented a story in minute detail and thoroughly researched from real prisoners of war with whom you were acquainted," Judge Irwin said.
Crane was so convincing he became national president of the Ex-PoW Association of Australia, vice president of the Queensland branch and treasurer of a PoW's reunion group.
Judge Irwin said it had been an active, premeditated and calculated fraud but it was for not for greed but rather the need for Crane to maintain his story.
"It was a case of fantasy and deception which got totally out of control," Judge Irwin said, noting Crane's offending had been to mainatin a place of recognition in society.
Judge Irwin said Crane had shown scant regard for ex-PoWs.
"It is an insult to those who fought, were captured, tortured and died," he added.
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MERRY XMAS FROM AUSSIE :)
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Dec 20, 2010 3:10 am
722 Views
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HOLIDAY EATING TIPS
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin, mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labour Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Have a Merry Christmas and HappyNew Year!
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