A Word to the Wise.

A weary eye that see's its future
Takes the fall that breaks the mould
Stares in wonder stark reminder
Seldom patience for the old
Time will tell such weighty matters
Turn to face the bitter sweet
Deceive to fail can hardly flatter
Those with youth lay at their feet

A wiser head can tell your fortune
Well advised yet often spurned
Overlooked as oft a buffoon
School of life so taught and learned
Beg to differ state your reasons
Though such thoughts hit rocky ground
When their youth has lived the seasons
Then that wanting will be found.

The Sunday Roast: No news is good news.

Seems there is very little to smile about just now worldwide. The quality of our TV news footage ensures we get an armchair seat at the biggest terror events anywhere in the world, the sort of advertising McDonalds could only dream of.  So, given that we now have 24hour access anywhere we like are we better off for it? Or are we gifting those fanatics who would do us harm the chance of fifteen minutes of fame?
If you are wondering where this is going cast your mind back a couple of weeks ago and the sight of a black flag with white Islamic rantings on it held up to a cafe window while terrified people were held hostage inside a simple coffee shop. It's an image as much sealed in our psych as the lone shopper in Tienanmen square who stopped a row of Chinese tanks with an Aldi bag and a straw hat.
We in the West are hungry to see such atrocities played out on the world stage, in fact we demand to see what is going on or we lose interest.

Just think a little about what I just said and you may start wondering if the press itself and indeed our own thirst for gossip and information fuels such sieges. Without such huge TV coverage the minority so called radical terrorists would be denied the world stage to get their ridiculous point over. I question the wisdom of allowing cameras so close to these real events.

Meanwhile here in Australia and especially Newcastle it has started to rain after a long dry period. As a thoroughbred POM I have to admit it is the sweetest rain I have ever tasted, it has been in the forties here a couple of times of late and I am savouring the low end of the twenties temperature wise this Sunday morning, you can take the POM out of London....

While reading the broad sheets on line and switching around to Sky News for a few updates on the depressing current atrocities in France, the state of the economy in an ever expanding over bloated Europe, the battles in America ongoing to defeat terrorism and the current instability in world order, something actually made me chuckle and brought me back to earth when I read the big news in Melbourne overnight was a brawl at a darts match. God bless Australia I say. That's the sort of headline the news was meant for!
Right, for me its a quick walk in the summer rain before it all evaporates, I can feel the pitter patter on my head and think back to chilly days dodging downpours while eating fish and chips from rain sodden newspaper while trying to convince the kids how nice the view of the sea is once I have demisted the car screen ..... aaaaahhh now that's a proper seaside holiday!

Have a great and safe Sunday everyone wherever you are right now, remember to enjoy what you have and not to worry about what you don't have, because there is always someone with less.

Here I am.

"Long time no see" prophetic words from a well educated Englishman getting used to a completely new way of life here down under a statement that could be applied to my blog page very easily right now, but I do solemnly swear to right that wrong!  I have to admit the transition into a "Pom" has not been without it's problems and indeed sometimes fraught with all manner of translation issues (yes translation) and the reality of work and all its new working practises.
One thing that strikes you very quickly over here is that although we English wrote the book on health and safety buffoonism my Australian counterparts have designed a new computer program on the subject and written it into their working life. Some of the rules over here regarding safety are taken to another level, it is almost laughable but I guess also endemic of a society that is emerging and growing and still very young. I hope that it doesn't become a major issue for the future of this wonderful country as although safety is an issue it has to be weighted against progress, a lesson the rule makers would do well to heed.
While mentioning the rule makers it was viewed with dismay that the Police patrol cars were thick on the ground over Xmas and New Year, not so much as to protect us but to give out some speeding fines and something called "double demerits" the points system over here is based on merit points for your licence and during the festive period they are doubled if caught speeding or jumping a red light and considering Newcastle City has more sets of lights than the Milky Way in mid summer that's very easy to do. The Police have been damned right sneaky of late parking in some very sneaky places that can only be reasoned with making revenue rather than contributing to road safety a move that only alienates the general public rather than endears them.
Newcastle is a wonderful welcoming vibrant and growing city, it has the makings of giving Sydney a black eye as the jewel in the crown of New South Wales if only for it's beautiful beaches and fantastic local cuisine.
 Every city however has it's growing pains, of late there has been much controversy over the main railway line being dismantled from its occupancy at the centre and heart of this metropolis so much so that many protesters have taken to the street to stop the break up of the tracks short of the city centre. All to no avail however, as on boxing day the line was closed and a new drop off station was commissioned to ensure continuity of services with buses running more frequently to help with the extra traffic. This has not been one of Newcastle's more defining moments as the whole thing is a bit of a shambles, ill thought out and for no logical reason rushed through, leaving the city without a decent terminal for people to be greeted in, bit of an own goal there councillors!

Its not all doom and gloom and I really do have to try and steer away from the "whingeing pom" stereo type, as indeed the sense of humour of your typical Aussie is very different to your average Anglophile. This city has a thriving port, wonderful beaches and great restaurants along with a wonderful multi-cultural population. It breathes life into your tired veins and lifts you like nowhere else I have ever been to, I love this city and I love the people of Newcastle, I love the people I am working with and they are patient (mostly!) with my huge readjustment to their country, that to me is the makings of a good start, only time will tell if that love is the lasting kind!