I'm heading to Hobart, Tasmania, to see my parents for a few days. Might be able to catch up with an old friend, too.
Unlikely to get online again until next Tuesday.

Just came back from visiting my sister and nieces for the week. Had fun. Nieces have all grow'd up. Sister is fine.

I guess it's the age-group we're in. My friend's sister-in-law has brain cancer. It's being fought, but it's a type that always comes back, always in the brain. She's going to die within the year.

Too many people die. Since I went to my friend Mick's funeral: an
online acquaintance, a real fun person on a miniatures site, died age
28. Admittedly, he'd been sick all his life. My local news agent, whom
I've known a decade or more. And just a couple of weeks ago a friend
(who writes the game journal as Davalin) lost his mother. Like Mick, he
lived ( Read more... )

Boy comes out of the woods in Germany

This is exactly the plot of Hannah...

Gillard and co have continued in the worst tradition of the Howard government to penalise people for coming to our country for help.

I find it hard to post about this topic, as it makes me too furious for words.

Please just follow the link and help.

On my way to work I pass a child in the driveway of a block of flats.
"Ten. nine, eight, six... Agh! Grr." she growls at herself in frustration.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three! Two! One! Ready or not, here I come!"

And I think her little growl of frustration is so cute. And I think of how many ways she's being human, in ways no ( Read more... )

The USA has finally decided not to drive the world economy off a cliff.

For now.

But since the process has become partisan, does that mean every couple of years we'll have to watch Congress see how long they can balance on two wheels over a cliff before swerving off to land on all four - or not?

Hopefully, two things will happen:
1) almost certainly: ( Read more... )

A fun acquaintance on a forum I frequent died this week.

The horror of the events in Norway.

And the most powerful country on the planet seems intent on devastating the world's economy for no sane reason.

Apparently the Sydney rally in support of the Carbon Tax attracted something like 8000 people. It was fairly short and sweet: some music, perhaps 3 speeches, then it was all over. For someone used to these things going on all afternoon, it was a bit startling. But then, many people had brought kids (maybe <5% of the crowd?) at the suggestion of the ( Read more... )