why is it?

2008-07-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

SURPRISES.

There is no greater surprise in life than to have a stroke, not of luck, although that is nice, the stroke I mean is when the brain is starved of oxygen, you lose your speech and the ability to move down one side, if not both.

I have a very recent experience of having a stroke. Strokes come without any warning and usually without any pain, and unless they can get you to a hospital for treatment, you are a gonner.

Which leads me into the point of this blog.

My wife very quickly phoned for an ambulance which came in very short order, they did their part of the job, brilliantly; I arrived at the hospital not out of it, but unable to move or talk, and in the hands of the trauma team. Pumped full of drugs, and monitored very carefully over the following 24 hours. A number of tests followed. There is no question at all, that because of the care and attention I received, I was able to be discharged from the hospital some five days later.

It is to these dedicated people that I owe my life.

The ambulance team and all the nursing staff exhibit this wizardry every, and sometime several times a day. What struck me more than anything is the care, generosity of spirit, compassion and empathy shown not only to me, but to all patients by all members of the staff at Gosford Hospital.

To state the staff at this hospital is overworked and very underpaid would be the understatement of the year.

To say thank you to all concerned in saving my life, seems very inadequate,
but I do, very humbly indeed.

Carol Armytage
Wamberal.

2008-04-18T18:36:00.000-07:00

OLDER DRIVERS.

I have written fairly frequently and with some passion regarding the attitude to the older driver question, so I was delighted to read that common sense has at last prevailed.

However, I don't think the new rules go far enough.

I would advocate a medical,eyesight and a two hour driving test for everyone every three years, absolutely no exceptions.

It goes without saying that all those who sit behind a wheel, no matter their colour race religion and anything you can think of, know perfectly well that they are natural drivers who have well above average ability.

Those who have undergone the test tell me it is not an easy test to pass, and one can fail for the slightest transgression and in the blink of any eye.. Perhaps all tests should be as strict. Let us hope they are, but with the standard of ldriving on our roads I doubt it.

I am now informed by the Road Traffic Auhority, [no less] that 90% of drivers who undertake the older drivers driving test pass with flying colours. This would appear to support my contention that the older drivers are very probably the safest group on the road. However,I would be interested to know the pass/fail figures for other groups of drivers.

I live on the central coast about 90 minutes from Sydney, and to be sure, we have our fair share of criminal lunatic drivers. My short journey to and from a shopping mall this saturday morning confirms this view, absolutely.

The Police Service in its various forms visible, not on your life!
Caz

2008-03-27T23:21:00.000-07:00

KEEP DEATH OFF THE ROAD.

2008-03-23T15:54:00.000-07:00

Still more deaths.

Just to add to my previous rantings about lunatic drivers.

It is now Holiday Monday and so far 19 people, yes 19, have been killed on our roads, and still counting.

There are people who are alive this morning who will not be by the the time this day ends. The 20 figure will be passed I'm sure.

On Easter Sunday my wife and I drove to Sydney a distance of 80 k;s on the F3 freeway. We lost count of the number of drivers who broke the speed limit in all sectors of the freeway. We gave up after some 180. We were cruising at a fraction over a 100 k's and cars were going past us, some up to 140 ks an hour, some even more.

I simply don't understand why we don't learn,, why each holiday so many are killed
through sheer stupidity.

And I do wonder how many older drivers were responsible for any of the recorded deaths.

Caz.

2008-03-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

THE OLDER DRIVER.

There is little doubt that the Road Traffic Authority in New South Wales will continue to target this group, presumably to remove as many older drivers off the road as is possible.
It should be remembered that as a group, these drivers do not tailgate, do not break the speed limit and do not drink and drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Friends and acquaintences have been discussing the driving test to which all drivers have to submit when they reach the aqe of 85, and some very intersting comments have come out of the discussion; there is no doubt at all, that to pass the test you will need to be 100% perfect in your answers to questions, your driving skills and general demeanour.

Here are some of the things drivers have failed the test on
.
Leaving your indicator lights on for too long, or not long enough. [Six seconds and not five in one case.]
Leaving insufficient,or too much room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
Stopping too near the white line at traffic lights or too far from it.
Not giving way to the right correctly.
Poor reverse parking.[Very common this one]
Not using your rear view vision mirror frequently enough.
Using the 'Bus only' lane to turn left at the traffic lights.
I'm sure the Examiner will have many more items.

Here are a couple hints to help steer you through the test.

Obtain a copy of the 'Older Drivers Handbook' from the RTA . Read it, devour it, until you know it backwards.

A week before you test, book at least three lessons with a driving school which specialises in preparing the older driver for the test. The last lesson if possible, should be on the day of the test.

When using your rear view mirror make sure you turn your head to do so,the Examiner must see what you are doing.

Do not chat the Examiner, keep your mouth shut until you are asked questions and concentrate on what you are doing.
Talk to other older drivrs who have been through the test and learn from them.
Ensure your vehicle in clean inside and out and your windows sparkle.

The following has been heard far too often, "You are an excellent driver, but I have to fail you because...."

Do remember that the test is not about being an excellent driver or how experienced you are, it is quite simply about how to pass the test.! It could be quite difficult to pass, and you can, without doubt, fail in the blink of an eye.

Read the manual, and practice practice practice.

As a final comment, Instead of targetting the older group of drivers,The RTA would be better employed in spending the time and money on more severely targetting the 18 to 24year olds, probably the most dangerous group on our roads today.

Good Luck,

Caz.

`

2008-01-31T20:33:00.000-08:00

THE APOLOGY AND COMPENSATION.

Much has been said and written on these two subjects.

The Prime Minister has now set the date for the 'apology' to be made, and it seems that it will made as follows.

Only to those Aborigines who were taken from their families because of their race, and no compensation claims will be entertained.

There are those who feel that an apology is not necessary, and should not be made for something which happened six or seven generations ago, and we of the present generation should be made to feel guilty over this distrasous policy.

As I understand it, and I am open to correction, that children were removed because they were being abused, and /or were being given a better life.

If childen are being abused, then the sooner they are removed from the environment the better. Removing children from their parents and culture to give them a better life , depends on your point of view.

These children, from a totally different culture were made to live in a white man's world with white man's standards. Many of these children never recovered from the enforced separation and many still bear the mental and emotional scars today.

Saying sorry six or seven generations later does not lessen the hurt or the damage.Saying sincerely how much we all regret that the incidents ever took place may be just a little different from saying 'sorry', although it does no harm [or good for that matter] to say either.

When people are hurt and/or damaged emtionally, physically, or psychologically, they are entitleld to justice and compensation, such are the laws under which we live.

The Prime Minister has said that compensation will not be paid to the victims of the stolen generation. Many, many people agree with this view.

Me, well I'm a cynical son of a gun. I believe that a couple of good Barristers on say $5000- a day could make holes big enough to drive a bus through the case of no compensation. But then we'll have to wait and see won't we?.

You buy the justice you can afford to pay for.

One thing I have learned, is that never believe what politicians tell you, no matter what colour tie they wear. By and large, they tell you what you want to hear
It's all about being elected the next time round.

Caz.

2008-01-21T19:44:00.000-08:00

Tennis Commentary

The standard of commentary offered by Channel seven on the Australian Open is just about the pits.

There are many of us who have eaten drunk and slept with tennis for longer than than current crop of players have been alive. We know what is going on, but the Commentators feel that have to fill the airwaves with their ceaseless and inane chatter non stop.

Here is some sound advice for all who commentate on tennis.

DO NOT speak whilst the service is being taken.
DO NOT speak in between services.
DO NOT speak whilst the ball is in play.
DO NOT hold a post mortem after every point. Entirely unnecessary; and bloody irritating when you have to listen to it after each point.

The paying customers are spared mercifully, to the diatribe dished out, and we, who are glued to our sets know what is going on.

Yes, we can use the mute button, mine is going on and off like a bucket of prawns in the heat. With the mute button off, the atmosphere of the match is completely spoilt.

In short, for God's sake SHUT UP!!!

Caz.

PS.I suggest the post match interview on the court is scrapped at once. These interviews are painful to endure and unfunny, [Courier the comedian, please note.] All the winner wants to do is get to the shower asap.. not giving a pointless interview.

2008-01-20T20:51:00.000-08:00

Older Drivers.

I have previoulsy written on this subject, and if I may remind you, older drivers, as a group, do not tail gatge, they do not speed, and they do not drink and drive over the limit. They are the safest group of drivers on our roads. Of the 44 people killled on our roads over Christmas, not to mention the horrifically injured, many of whome are still in hospital, and some, unlikely to leave it, The number of older drivers responsible for those accidents was probably less than two per cent.

Now we learn that not only does the RTA want further driving tests for this safe group, [presumably in an effort to get the older driver off the road, and leave the way clear for the lunatic speeding and drunk drivers, it wants to stamp the number plate with an 'S' indicating to other drivers they are following and older driver, or being approached by one.

But I don't think this goes far enough, do you? Why not stamp the plate with 'CDD' convicted drink driver, or 'CSD' Convicted speeding driver. 'P'with drawing of a child indicating a driver convicted of paedophillia, and so on and so on.

The time and money spent on this nonsense could well be better spent on enacting much, much harsher penalties for those whose deliberatly break the law by speeding and driving when over the limit. If this includes the older driver, so be it.

Caz.

2008-01-09T00:30:00.000-08:00

Draconian Measures.

I have previously written regarding the draconian measures, the measures needed to halt the appalling road toll in Australia.

Now that the Christmas break is over, it is time to look at the situation once again.

We are told that the figures are the lowest they have been for a long time, in other words we haven't killed quite so many people as previously. This might afford some comfort to some, but not I think the 44 families who have lost relatives and friends, not to mention of course, the horrifically injured, many of whom are still in hospital, and some may never leave it.

Although the figures are down, there remains the lunatics who continue to break the law by speeding, and who continue to drive whilst over the limit.

It does seem to me that these cretins have made a conscious choice to break the law, and as such are deserving of the harshest of punishments. Education is needed and is fine, but it takes too long, and we need to get these people off the road now and for good.

Draconian Measures. Recommendations.

Caught speeding twice, your licence is cancelled and your vehicle confiscated for an indeterminate period. Caught three times, your licence is canceled for not less than ten years, and your vehicle is destroyed. If the vehicle belongs to someone else you get to solve the problem, and make your own way to your destination. Your insurance is invalid.

Alcohol. ZERO TOLERANCE. PERMANENTLY.

If you are caught drinking and driving, your licence is cancelled permanently and the vehicle destroyed. You will also be subject to the usual punishments and no appeals will be allowed; your insurance becomes invalid.
Once a dozen or so vehicles have been destroyed and the fact highlighted by he media, the rest of the lunatics might just, might just, hesitate before they speed or drink and drive, or both.

Destroying the vehicles solves the problem of storing those which have been confiscated.

As from the 1st of January 2009, all persons without exception who are applying for a driving licence will be required to undergo an eye sight test, a strict medical test, and a two hour driving test. The licence to last just three years only.

These measures should sort the wheat from the chaff.!

We have everything we need to put these measures into place without further delay, all we need is the political will and guts, plus media support.

We are coming up to the long week end, where traditionally a great deal of alcohol is consumed, following that is of course the Easter break.

I wonder how many will be killed during those two breaks, the result of drinking and driving and speeding.

Hello, hello is there anyone out there listening??

2007-12-19T19:47:00.000-08:00

Yet another disgraceful case.

As I understand it,Channel seven news chief Peter Meakin has three previous convictions for drink driving offences.

It appears he has again seriously offended, and tried to ourun a police car until he was arrested.

He was sentenced to week end detention over a period 14 months, his licence suspended for the next eight years. Mr. Meakin appealed, the suspension of his licence stands, and he will now serve 250 hours community service instead of going to weekend prison.!!

The ban on his licence should start when he leaves prison after three to five years, to which he should have been sentenced.

The price of his most expensive legal team, [depends how many were involved], but with preparation, paper work, arranging he presentation, time in court, plus expenses, the cost would not have been less than $250,000, is my wild guess.

To Mr. Meakin this is probably a mere drop in the bucket and he can well afford the fee, I'm sure . Probably worth it; better than spending every weekend for 14 months.!!

The lesson to be learned here, is that money equals power, without question. The more money you have, the more power you can buy, in this case verbal power. One law for the rich, and one for the poor.

It has been that way for centuries, and nothing is going to change it.

Why the Board at Channel seven do not sack him, is beyond me. Had he been employed with anothr firm, I like to think he would have been for bringing the company into disrepute.

If ever a case deserved draconian punishment, this one would have to be on the list.

Caz.

2007-12-14T00:32:00.000-08:00

In an effort to curb speeding and drink drink driving, I wonder what would happen if a RBT unit was placed in each of the RSL Clubs on the Central Coast in Australia.

It could work like this.

When you arrive at the Club for the evening you hand your car keys to the RBT Unit and obtain a receipt. On leaving the Club sometime later, you undergo a compulsory breath test. If you are under the limit you are handed your car keys. If you are over the limit, your car keys are withheld and you go home by taxi. You collect your car keys from the Police station at a later date.

Not a bad idea, and would bring an awful lot of people up short

Much better to prevent drink driving than to wait until the offence is committed then arrest the driver.

Bit like shutting the door after the donkey has bolted.,. wouldn't you say.?

Caz.

2007-12-14T00:19:00.000-08:00

A woman was so drunk on the F3 freeway, at least four times over the limit, and driving so erratically she had to be boxed in by three other cars whilst waiting for the police to arrive arrived. She was so drunk she had to be carried to the police car. She was given a 12 month bond and her licence cancelled for three years.

As friend suggested, she should have been charged with attempted murder, given three years gaol without parole, her licence cancelled for ten years to commence when she left gaol, and her vehicle impounded permanently.

The Magistrate should have been sacked for incompetency.

When are we going to learn that only draconian measures will save lives. Take away the means to drink and drive, take away the means to break the speed limit appear to be the only solutions.

Sad to reflect there are people alive today who will not be alive at the end of the Christmas break, and many of those deaths will be due to speeding and drink driving.

Caz.

2007-06-11T02:16:00.000-07:00

Another Angel

Sometime ago, I wrote that I had found an Angel with regard to doing various jobs on and in my house. I really didn't think I would find another quite so quickly.

My air-condtioner recently broke down, the old rectangle type, and it needed to be replaced by the split-system. This of course, meant that the wall had to be repaired inside and out before the new system could be installed. All this meant new matching bricks, new plaster/gyp-board matching paint etc. I dreaded going through the Yellow Pages to find people who could do the job, and of course there would be a call out fee each time someone came to do their bit. We have had more than our share of over quoting, those who do not turn up, and if they do they are late, with no explanation, those who have mobile phones, but for some reason do not use them to tell you that are delayed/not coming, changed their minds about the job.
A friend recommended Roger, who said he would and could do everything!! He said he would search for and match the bricks, [mine are some twenty years old,] he would repair the walls inside and out, match the paint, repaint the wall and then install the new air conditioner.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I thought. However,the thought of going through the Yellow Pages once again was too awful to contemplate. So, I said go ahead, as the quote was not excessive, in fact quite reasonable. Starting on the Monday, the job was completed, brilliantly, by the following Thursday afternoon, We were enjoying the new system that evening. That Thursday was just before the storm which came on Friday!. Roger has also fixed my sensor lights at the back and front of the house, no charge.

Roger, truly an Angel. We gave him cups of coffee, and a pie for lunch one day, and to say he was surprised by this small gesture of hospitality is an understatement.
If you live on the Central Coast, around the Terrigal area and need an Angel, I would be quite happy to supply you with his name and phone number.

Caz.

2007-05-30T02:55:00.000-07:00

Many thanks for all your help much appreciated.

2006-10-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

A LESSON TO BE LEARNED.

Because disasters happen so frequently, each occupies our television screens for a short while and then disappear until the next disaster. Whether we learn anything from the disasters is a very moot point. The horror which recently befell the Amish Families is a case in point. Now that they have buried their loved ones, I doubt whether we shall or hear anything of them, for quite a while, if then. What struck me was their simplicity, quiet dignity, their genuine compassion for those outside their clan. To handle such a horror in the way they did, and still do, is a lesson we should all learn. 'It's not the problem that's the problem, it's the way we handle the problem,that's the problem.'. [and it will be a very long time before I write truer words]. When we remember the insane zealots of all religions, the bible thumpers, not to mention the very dangerous Jesus Camp which is making an art of brainwashing children, one can have nothing but admiration for the Amish Families. Talk about teaching by example. Will we learn? Very very doubtful.

The way the Amish Families conduct their business follows very closely to the way JC Himself conducted his. Looking at the way they run their society, and they way we run ours, it's pretty obvious we have nothing to offer them, or can teach absolutely nothing.

The Amish Families, a class act all the way, I would say.

Caz

2006-09-28T22:51:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are familiar with the Central Coast of New South Wales, what do you thin of the idea to change the name of The Haven to 'Crikey Beach Park', this for obvious reasons.

Doubtless there will be other suggested names and places, but I thought this idea rather a nice one. No doubt Gosford Council will take some time to think of all sorts of reasons why it can't be done!

Caz.

2006-09-23T02:07:00.000-07:00

There has been much speculation, and there still is, regarding the death of Pte Korvco. What I don't understand is why was there live ammunition in the barrack room in the first place. Unless one is on duty, or indulging in organised target practice, live ammunition should be back in the armoury where it belongs. This was the practice in my day and in my Army. Perhaps the Commanding Officer can explain why this practice is allowed. It has been suggested that the soldier might have been cleaning his gun and it went off, Rubbish! Would any trained soldier clean his weapon whilst it was still loaded? Give me a break!Retaining live ammunition against orders to return it to the armoury was a court martial offence in my day. The fact that the soldier was on active service makes not the slightest bit of difference.

Now a comment on the soldiers who have been reported pointing weapons at comrades whilst they were dressed as Arabs. Whilst this is unseemly and in bad taste at best, [one journalist described it as 'skylarking' dear oh dear], this was also a very serious offence. To point a weapon at a comrade, even in jest, would get you into the glass house, [military prison to you] where you would do everything from very early morning till late, at the double and often wearing full FSMO, [full service marching order to you, plus rifle] and whether it was summer or winter, it was a bloody unpleasant way to spend three months. What was certain of course, was that you didn't offend again. But then that was in my day and in my Army. Obviously, things are very different now, and dare I say it, bloody slack!!

Live ammunition in a barrack room, soldiers pointing guns at one another, wonder what other tricks they get up to for amusement. God spare us!!

2006-09-10T21:56:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER THOUGHT.

After I had posted my brief blog re the death of Steve Irwin, I remembered that George Bernard Shaw once said
"If you would find God, you will find him in the garden". He might well have added, with Steve in mind,. if you would find God, look to the animals, you will find him there also.

Caz.

2006-09-08T18:59:00.000-07:00

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A LEGEND.

Few can clame to be a legend in their own lifetime. I believe Staeve Irwin was and is a genuine legend.

Whatever you think of his style of presentation, there is no doubting his love of everything on and in this planet. [Interesting to reflect that after a lifetime of dealing with the most poisonous snakes in the world he was never once bitten.
He bought over 43,000 of hectares so that animals can live in safety and peace.]

Irwin leaves us with a lesson we all should learn. To love and revere everything on and in this planet, to love family and friends, for there is no substitute.
Irwin's philosophy is the true religion, whataever God you pray to.

Whatever God you do pray to I'm sure he/she would approve. For me,. not a particularly religious person, JC himself, is looking down and saying "Well done thou good and faithful servant".

Caz.

PS. I can't think of anyone at all who had over 200 million fans around the world, can you?

2006-09-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

In memory of Steve Irwin a great Australian conservationist who reminded us how impotant it is to love our planet family and friends. nothing is more important.

The clock of life is wound but once,
and no man has the power to tell
just when the hands will stop at
late or early hour. Now is the only
time you own, so live love, toil
with will, place no faith in
tomorrow, for the clock may then be
still.

Caz.

2006-08-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

Par for the course Central Coast in New south Wales.

We have an 18 meter fence which separates our property from our neighbours which needs replacing. Soooo, I turned to the Yellow Pages, as you do, to let my fingers do the walking. I decided to ring five contractors to obtain various quotes.
One said it was too far, [30 minutes drive,] I left my name and number on two answering machines, and still waiting for a reply after four days, one didn't return my call as promised. Only one out of five, called made the appointgment, turned up on time, and of course got the order. The job, I thought was worth about $2,500, that's $500 for materials,and $2000 for roughly a days work!! In the event, our neighbour has decided to extend her part of the fence, which is roughly another $500, and a friend needs two fences on her property, say roughly about $5000 worth of business which four of the people I called have missed out on. Why in God's name would you spend money on expensive advertisng in the Yellow Pages, and then not return phone calls. Makes no sense to me, and apart from anything else, it is grossly bad manners and shows complete lack of professional courtesy. But it does seem this cavalier attitude is very common on the Central Coast.A number of friends have complained about the same thing, tradesmen who advertise then simply do not return calls. If they ever turn up, in most cases they are late arriving with the same excuse, 'I got held up'. Use your mobile you bloody cretin.

I now have a short list of tradesmen I have used, who return calls, turn up on time, do the job for a price I'm happy to pay, and now refuse to use the Yellow Pages or the local paper in a search for tradesmen. A complete bloody waste of time and phone calls.

Caz

2006-07-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

An amusing/not so amusing incident.

Some years ago whilst in Perth WA on business I was invited to have a go at ten pin bowling. Having played squash and tennis for quite a while in a number of countries, I thought this is a doddle. I arrived at the appointed time, and was told to go and choose a bowling ball. I did this and was suprised, nay, staggered to feel the weight of the bowling ball. Litle wonder they put three little holes in the ball into which you place your fingers to facilitate handling. No one told me though, that you place your fingers up to the first joint, you don't thrust three fingers into the holes up to the end of your fingers!. Staggering under the weight of the bowl, and clutching it to my chest, in the manner of a mother protecting her baby, I finally found the start line. "Your go" shouted my chums. Now I'm ready to admit as far as ten pin bowling is concerned, I am the original Eunuch, meaning I have seen it done, I know how it's done, but I have never done it!!!!!.However, allowing the bowl to fall gently by my side, I swung the bowl behind me and then, with all the grace and elegance for which I am well known, swung it forward as hard as I could. I realised, all too late, that I could not extricate my fingers from the bowl, so as the bowl flew down the lane with the speed of la Formula One motor car I went with it, and I swear to God, another couple of inches and I would haves scored a strike with my head.[I have seen similar incidents in Tom and Jerry cartoons!!] However, the day was not yet over. I could hear this roaring in my ears and realised it was the sound of hysterical laughter from around seventy odd other players. Slowly I staggered to my feet, still clutching the bloody bowl to my chest,. and I have to tell you, the walk back along that lane was one of the longest and most embarrassing journeys I have yet undertaken. It was then that my real problems began when I tried to pull my fingers free. Two of them came out, but the third finger on my right hand was well and truly stuck. Butter and oil were tried as lubricants, and there was a suggestion from some bright spark that a larger hole should be cut into the bowl in order to free my finger, which by this time was growing even larger. With oil dripping all over the place, and using a twisting motion, [the pain you can only imagine] my finger finally came free. Covered in light brown oil, my finger resembled a green fat gherkin straight out of the jar.
Now when my finger aches in the damp, I am reminded of my first attempt at ten pin bowling. Never, never again.

Caz.

2006-07-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

A SAD CONCLUSION.

I was recently sent some pictures of war torn Beirut, showing the injured, maimed and the dead. The pictures did not move me as I expected they would. and I think the reason is that we have seen it all before, similar incidents have been happening in every town and city where war has laid its filthy hand. Think, the Japanese and its war with China in the thirties, the thirteen years of Nazi rule, the second world war, Vietnam, Korea, middle east crises, one after the other. We relied on newsreels to bring us these horrors, and now we have television and computers, the delivery is instant, almost as it happens. The pictures are not new of course, such incidents have been going on since time began. The latest batch has confirmed my long held opnion that we are all born evil. We do not have to be taught to be evil, it comes quite naturally to all of us. However, we do have to be taught, exhorted and cajoled to be good, from the cradle to the grave we are threatend with all sorts of punishment if we are not 'good'. Thousands go to Church every Sunday to be berated for their sins, promised hell and damnation if they stray, to make a better effort to be good, without sin. thousands all over the world go to Church to 'Confess', having done so they are absolved from sin, and are free to carry on the following week. Many of these people carry out this ritual for most of their lives, particularly towards the end of it. It seem that we have learned to live with a cover of veneer of civilisation/sophistication, and the thickness of that veneer will vary from one person to another. In many cases it takes little for the veneer to crack and for people to revert to 'normal', behaviour. Given the right
circumstance for the veenr to crack, and we are off and running. The veneer cracks when we have a traffic problem, we berate the other guy who is always in the wrong,
and give him the 'finger',happens all the time. We show the evil/natural side when we lock up people for years without trial, subject them to forced sex acts, allow snarling dogs near the naked genitals of a terrfied prisoner, force naked bodies on top of one another, and ENJOY doing it .'We were following orders' is the cry, and that excuse was heard at Nuremberg, [not that it did them much good.] The veneer is cracked when suicide bombers ply their filthy trade and kill hundreds of totally innocent human beings. When women are happy for the little ones to be trained as suicide bombers. When hostages have their throats cut and are beheaded for the benefit of television cameras, whilst the scum that carry out these deaths are covered from head to foot, presumably so that we won't recognise them. Sadly we don't have to learn how to do these things, the 'how' comes quite naturally to us, and worse, we find sound logical reasons for that behaviour.

I simply don't understand why it is so bloody easy to be evil and difficult to be good all the time. The many acts of goodness carried out by so many over the world every day, comes nowhere near the evil that is carried out in he name of particular deity. 'God is on our side'. 'Praise be to Allah,' 'Allah is good' 'Allah is great', said the Bali bombers as they killed over 200 hundred innocent people.
So, what have we learned, nothing, except how to kill more and more people more and more quickly with ever viler means, to kill them more efficiently [gas chambers] and more and more inhumanely. You think things are going to improve, on the available evidence, you are whistling in the wind. Remember a film called 'Lord of the Flies, which depicted a number of well dressed, well educated boys from wealthy families who are stranded on an island. Left to their own devices, they quickly, within days, revert to 'normal/evil'behaviour. They didn't learn to behave that way, it came to them perfectly naturally, they became normal.There appears to be no end in sight of man's inhumanity to man.
Many believe in the Second Coming, if that is the case, it had better hurry up, for man needs all the help he can get. We are hell bent on killing each other , and the planet, and by the time Second Coming arrives, it may well be too late, perhaps it is already.

Caz.

2006-07-01T23:49:00.000-07:00

What is a Salesman?

A salesman is many things. He is a pin on a map. A quote to the office, and overloaded expense account to the auditor, a book keeping item called 'cost of selling' to the sales manager, a smile or wise crack to the receptionist, and a purveyor of the balm of flattery to the buyers.

A salsman needs the endurance of Hercules, the brass of Barnum, the craft of Machiavelli, the tact of a diplomat, the tongue of an orator, the charm of a playboy, and a mind as fast as Univac. He must be impervious to insult, anger complaint, and the effect of spending all evening with a customer.

He must be able to sell all day and the next and the next, and be on the job at 9 am the following day, fresh as a water lilly. He must be an expert golfer, storyteller, businessman, and listener to sad stories.

He wishes his rates lower, his commissions higher, and his territory smaller. His competitors ethical, his books delivered on time, his Boss sympathetic his customers human. He is a realist who knows none of this will never be. He is an optimist, so he makes the sale anyway. He rolls his life away in the tedium of aircraft, bars and hotel rooms. In the morning he hoists the the deadweight of yesterdays's target,and tahe weeks quota. He writes finish to the day with the curse of the daily report.

Despite all lthis, there is nothing he would rather do, and he will be the first to tell you so. As long as there is something to sell,. and someone to sell it. He is a salesman.

Caz.

2006-06-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

KEEP DEATH OFF THE ROAD.

SINCE MY LAST BLOG, WITH THE ABOVE TITLE, YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN THE FOLLOWING

A female MP has been ordered to resign from the Labour party because of another drink driving offence, the second in two years..

A bit part tv actress who played a police officer in a tv show was fined $1000 and her licence suspended for 18 months. When questioned during the evening about how much she had drunk, she replied "F..., I don't know I have been drinking since one o'clock. She was four times over the limit!!

The Minister in charge of promoting safe motoring was caught driving over the prescribed limit , [twice over the limit,] escaped wth no penalty or conviction
recorded.

If these three had been aware, that if they had been caught, charged, found guilty of driving over the limit, that they would have had their vehicles impounded for good, I wonder whether they would have used a bit more common sense.

No doubt we shall see and hear more of this criminal stupidity, and no doubt we shall read of, and see the same inadequate penalties imposed.

Further doubt, we shall hear of people being injured and killed after the next long week end, and anything up to some 40 people will be killed duing the Christmas break.

These appalling figures will continue until someone has the political guts and will to bring in draconian laws, hopefully, along the lines I have suggested.

2006-06-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

KEEP DEATH OF THE ROAD

Here on the Central Coast of New South Wales, our long week end was completely spoilt by the news that drivers have been at it again. The current laws, fines, loss of licence, community service appear to be totally useless in dealing effectively with this lunacy.

Something needs to be done now, and only draconian measures are going to have any real effect. For example.

Any driver convicted of drink driving will have the vehicle impounded, - PERMANENTLEY, No appeals allowed, plus the usual punishments to apply,
FURTHER. Insurance comnpanies to be absolved from paying all damage claims to those so convicted.

Unless a term of imprisonment is imposed,or licence withdrawn, the current laws allow the convicted driver back on the roads as soon as he leaves tahe Court.

If you are aware that if you are convicted of drink driving over the prescribed limit
aparts from the usual punishments you will loses your vehicle, probably worth several thousands of dollars, you won't drive when over the limit you? If you do, then you are certifiably insane.

In time of war, if a particular lalw nneeds to be in plaace, it can be done in a week. There is absolutely no raeason why these tough new laws canot be put into place before the next long week end,and most certainly before Christmas.

A friend puts it rather well, however unpopular and expensive these daconian laws are, they need some with the political will to bring system into force.

Most people think they have forever to live, Around 50 have about six months!! between now and the end of January that number, or close to itwill be maimed,
and or killed by the end of next January.

I really am not looking forward to blogging next January with the comment 'I told you so'

Caz.

2006-06-09T03:09:00.000-07:00

GREETINGS.

I have previously written at some length about the greetings to which we are subjected in retail stores, an supermarkets.

Good morning/afternoon, please and thank you, seem not to be part of the general vocabulary. After my last letter, I was assailed by various people anxious to explain that they were taught to express various versions of 'How are you, Have a nice one etc. The mind boggles at the various nasal type accents in which these words were produced. and one can only wonder who trains the trainer.

Sad to say, the the situation has not improved, except in one incredible instance.

I happened to be in our local Coles supermarket this week, and saying, as usually I do, "Good Morning', I was replied to, with exactly the same words with 'Sir' tacked on the end. Saying I was struck dumb, is putting it midly, more so, when the cashier
[AKA, check out chick!!] said, [looking me straight in the eye],on my completing my purchaser said."Thank you Sir, "

Well, Lordy Lordy, I slowly drove home, took a couple of aspirins had a cup of tea
and lie down in an endeavour to recover from the shock. To try to persuade the Gen/Mgrs of these establishments to train their staff to offer the very basic courtesies, well, I might just as well write to my local council about their lousy water managment programme. To expect a reply is an exercise in futility on both
accounts.

Caz.

Caz.

AKA Carol Armytage

2006-05-24T21:15:00.000-07:00

ESTHUSIASIM DETERMINATION PERSISTENCE

We hear the word MOTIVATION a great deal these days, indeed it has become a very fashionable term. The number of books records and tapes on the subject are legion, and indicate that it has a become a multi dollar business. One possible reason maybe that because we live in times of stress and pressure, we need the mental vitamins as well as the other kind, of course this is absolutely true. I have been frequently struck by the way people think more positively at Christmas time
than any other time of the year. We think about families and friends in positive terms, and the more magnanimous among us, even think in positive terms about people we dislike. And, we certainly think about the coming year in positive terms. Pity Christmas comes but once a year!. Many people make all sorts of resolutions for the coming year, which usually last around 14 days. To keep a resolution for a whole year takes a great deal of persistence and determination, more than most people possess. To remain resolute about one particular thing for a year takes a very positive and enthusiastic attitude indeed, but like all worthwhile things in life, it takes hard work and practice, persistence and determination.
It is interesting to remember that we have to be taught to be good from the day we are born. It takes no effort at to be bad. But we have to work hard to be good,it takes a lot of determination and persistence.. Left to our own devices, one can only imagine what sort of adults we would grow up to be. Those of you who play sport, know, that no matter how good you are, to maintain your standard and improve upon it, you have to practice, and that takes enthusiasm, determination and persistence. Motivational books tapes etc help form positive attitudes. These are the mental vitamins,and we need to take them regularly, they keep our mental bowels open

Our minds are like cinema projectors, and the screens our lives, whatever we put into the projector will show up on the screen magnified a thousand times.. Be enthusiastic determined, and persistent. How do you become enthusiastic?, just enthuse, if it's hard, do it hard, but just do it.. Make it a habit, which pays off in spades. To rely on people and things to motivate you in your life can be very dangerous. They become crutches, and when those crutches are not there, you fall flat on your face. The only person who should motivate you, is the person in the bathroom mirror. Think about it! Nothing in the world can take the place of enthusiasm persistence and determinaation. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people of talent. The world is filled with educated derelicts. Enthusiam, persistence and determination are alone omnipotent.

Tomorrow gives a man another chance. It comes to us at midnight, and squeaky clean. It's perfect when it arrives, and puts itself in our hands, what we make of tomorow is up to each of us. It hopes we have learned something from yesterday.[author unknown]. When someone wrote, "I am Captain of my fate, and master of my soul",
he might well have written "I am Captain of my soul and master of my attitude", which is what it's all about really, attitude, which can bring about entusiasm persistence and determination.
The way I see it, in all fields of human endeavour, the only three things that pay dividends in the long run are, enthusiasm, determination and persistence. I do believe that if we cultivate these three attributes, we attract to us, others, who have the same attributes.

Caz

2006-05-19T18:40:00.000-07:00

CUSTOMER SERVICE.

I have , in the past, frequently complained bitterly about the low level of customer service to which we are subjected on a daily basis, so it is with great pleasure, I share with you my latest experience.

For sometime now I have been shopping around for a decent, but not overly expensive pair of tennis shoes. Tennis shoes can cost anything from $30 to up to $200, and sometimes more,but I found a shop in our shopping mall that features a wide range of sneakers at all sorts of prices. Looking around the shop, I was approached a young woman who looks about 14 years old, with big brown eyes; my first thought that she has a Fillipino back ground, and rejoices in the name of Bonnie.

I explained what I was looking for, which Bonnie countered with, "We must first measure your foot Sir, [dig that title!!] or rather both feet, because with most people one foot is larger than the other, and you should always buy the shoes that
fit the larger foot."
That has never occurred to me, an but now I think about it,it really does make good sense. Having arrived at the correct measurement, width and length, Bonnie produced a pair of tennis shoes, which are one and half times larger than the ones I have been wearing. 'You have been wearing the incorrect size for your feet, how you played tennis, is an interesting point, but you will play a lot better now that you are on the right footing!!!" Bonnie [ also a comedian] then proceeded to point out the features of this particular pair of tennis shoes, and what really amazed me was she equalised each feature with a benefit.. I suppose in the end, that is what we all buy isn't it? The benefits, beause the feature is the vehicle to which the benefit is attached. When we spend our money,. if there is no benefit in the purchase, we don't do it, do we? Of course not.

Bonnie having pointed out all the benfits of buying and wearing this particular brand of shoes, probably around 6/7, if memory serves, there was nothing else for me to think about, except that I probably wouldn't do as well eleswhere [including discount], and most certainly wouldn't enjoy the excellent personal customer service. Bonnie made me feel she was really interested in making sure I was buying the right shoe for the right reason at a price I was prepared to pay.

I don't know how much sales training Bonnie has undergone, but I felt that her natural ability, plus her commitment and love of selling certainly came through during our transaction.

I'm very pleased to pass on this happy experience to other Bloggers.

Caz.

2006-05-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

WE MUST PUT A STOP TO THIS DANGEROUS NONSENSE.

The decision to allow certain bookshops [The Lakemba location in particular] to stock and sell what is now regarded as 'Hate Mail". That is, as I understand it, publications that promote and advocate becoming a suicide bomber, the making of bombs, and general hate mail etc etc against western society.

To make things worse, the Holy Bible is now banned in certain schools hospitals in Victoria on the grounds that non Christians will be offended.

The remedy is simple, if you are offended by our standards then choose another hospital and/or a school where you will not be offended. If you don't want to share what we have and live by our rules, then leave, preferably as quickly as is possible.

Can you imagine Christians living in the UAR, complaining that they are offended by having the Koran in hospitals and schools and it should be removed.

FAT CHANCE!!

What lunacy is this that we allow this sort of takeover, more importantly, if we allow it to continue there is no knowing where it will stop.

Where is the iron political will to say to these people. Enough is enough. If this nonsense continues, I would not want to live in Australia in ten/20 years time The country we enjoy now, will, sadly, simply not exist.

Caz.

2006-05-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

ROAD CARNAGE.

In one of the Sunday papers this weekend, a journalist, Miranda Devine by name, wrote an excellent piece on older and women drivers. The phrase that really got to me was the first line in the last paragraph which reads, "Driving badly is a choice people make". What a great line that is, and it could and should be used throughout the country, in and on every media outlet to promote safer driving.

The carnage on our roads is a cancer and the only way to deal with a cancer is to cut it out. The powers that be have been pussy footing round for ages trying to deal with the ever increasing carnage on our roads, and instead of things getting better they are becoming worse. Better driving education is needed, so it has been said, and this is true. The only problem with that is the education to become effective
would take too long. Draconian measures are needed and the following could and should take place without any further delay.

The toughest thing in the world to change is people's attitude. And the attitude that a driving licence is a 'right' should be abandoned. What should be promoted is that a driving licence is a 'privilege' and must be earned the hard way. As follows.

The current system of testing is to be abandoned at once. In its place, all learner drivers should pass an advanced driving a test before they are allowed on the road. NO EXCEPTIONS. NO PASS, NO LICENCE.

Every three years, ALL DRIVERS, NO EXCEPTIONS, should pass the advanced driving test, and every five years, ALL DRIVERS NO EXCEPTIONS should undergo a medical and eyesight est. NO PASS NO LICENCE, NO EXCEPTIONS.

A couple of older drivers have been involved in very nasty accident recently, and much has been said and written about the standard of driving by older people. The implication is of course, 80 year old drivers should not be on the road.

BAD DRIVING IS A PERSONAL CHOICE, and is not the prerogative of older drivers, male or female.

After every holiday in Australia, particularly so at Christmas time, many people are involved in car accidents, people are hurt, maimed and killed,. Probably less than one per cent of the accidents are caused by the older driver, Likewise, on any freeway, the lunatics who persistently break the speed limit are not 80 year olds.

There are a number of people who are alive tday who will not be with us by the end of the year, because they, or someone else 'made a choice to drive badly.' "Sheer accidents" are very few and far between I would suggest.

What is needed is the 'political will', as a friend calls it, to put similar measures into practice. Expensive? of course,but look at the benfits.!!

However, I foresee two problems. One the civil liberties people squawking about invasion of privacy and civil liberties, and politicians that if they put their name to the similara measures, bang go their chances at the next election.

Think about it Bloggers,

BAD DRIVING A CHOICE WE ALL MAKE.

Caz.

2006-05-11T02:12:00.000-07:00

2006-02-20T22:45:00.000-08:00

It is sometime since I posted my first blog, and a friend has reminded me to stop prevaricating and post some of my thoughts.

The words, Please, Thank You, Good Morning/Afternoon etc, seem to have disappeared alt
ogether from the vocabulary of shop assistants. We are left with the totally pointless greeting of ' 'Ow are yer', and on departing from the cash desk, 'Ave a good day'. Imagine the poor b.....er who has cancer and all the troubles and problems you could imagine, doing a his bit of shopping and being told to 'Ave a goodday';. God almighty, who trains the trainer??.. When I mentioned this problem some time ago in our local paper, I was taken to task by a couple of readers who said they were 'trained' to make these remarks.
Why is it?

I have spent a lifetime in the fascinating selling industry, and boy oh boy, you had better believe that I have learned thing or three or more.! I have,for nearly half a centnry, most of my working life, dealt with people of all colours shapes and sizes, and from all levels, the sales person to the top level of
management, my job was attached to the hospitality industry, encompassing the the tourist industry. hotels/ travel agencies,/resorts throughout Great Britain, Australasia, all ports of call from Bali to Tokyo,and everything in between, across the Pacific to Fiji, Bali to Tokyo, across to the Hawaiian Islands thence to the West Coast and onward to Canada.

For all the bloggers who are involved in the selling industry, irrespective of product or service, here is a communication check list. Read, learn and inwardly digest. Remember that communication is a two way street, and the art of communication is getting on the same wavelength as the person to whom you are talking and stay in tune. Remember also, the divorce courts are full of people who thought they were communicating with each other. They weren't, they were taking 'AT' each other.!!!!!!!!!!

The communication checklist followes. [By the by, if you think it is very old fashioned, well it is, I'v e been using it since 1950!! and it still works.

Communication is basically, the sending and receiving of a message from one to another. Whether that message, by whatever means, is properly sent and correctly understood is very much another matter. Example.

Do you find yourself waiting impaitiently to for the other person to shut up, so that you may speak?

Are you in such a hurry to offer a solution that you didn't wait to hear the full story, understand the problem?

Do you take mental side excursions while the other person is talking?

Do you put yourself in the other fellows place to understand what makes him say or do that?
Are you alert for misunderstandings that could arise because the words don't mean the same to you as they do to to him/her?

Do you put him/her at ease?
Do you encourage him/her to ask questions\Do you distinguish between fact and opinions?
Is what you say clear, concise complete correct, and courteous?

So, because we say the words doesn't mean that we communicate.
Communication, successful communication, is being on the same wavelength and staying in tune.

So often we are not, think about it,
and ask,

what am I not doing.?

2006-01-27T15:05:00.000-08:00

I have been playing thinking dreaming talking about tennis since about 1949/50. My enthusiasm for the game far outwweighs my ablility to play it , but I still do. It is under these circumstances that I offer all players, one in particular [no prizes for guessing who]. Watch Marcos Bagdartis playing Federer on Sunday evening, listen learn and inwardly digest on how to play the game, but more importantly how to behave on a tennis court. Grace charm elegance humility and good humour are are sorely need chum.