More video from visit to Kangaroo island

https://youtu.be/2NwwjGmrlxo

This , hopefully, is the clip of Robin with the Wedgetail Eagle ..
and no; we are not young anymore ... well, in mind, perhaps ..

(um, that was interesting - lost my 'internet connection' .. forgot to "pay" the $50.00 fee.
Not to worry, have 'recharged' ... and, hopefully, will be online until the Gigabytes diminish again ....)

For whatever it is worth

http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/four-corners/NC1704H021S00
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2017/07/03/4693993.htm
Meh ...
(an Australian investigation into the messy politics and interesting connections between the hidden financial deals of American politicians and the  Hierarchy of Indonesian policies).

I could, perhaps, label this post The ugly American ....

buuuut there are those who applaud him ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN21riPP1Lo ...???

Raptor Domain

Um, Ok, did mention that i would write a more detailed account of my visit to Kangaroo island, South Australia .... buuuut ... inconsistent snippets escape into internet technology.
Herewith two images that have managed to capture from the video of our visit to Raptor Domain.

Will unashamedly promote the enterprise. One of the most exciting and educational aspects of our visit.
Click images to 'embiggen' - not my invention - try Holties house. (if he and it remains alive).

So, yep, this image is a snapshot from the video clip of me with a kestrel ... but the video clip is quite funny, as Robin (travelling companion) had to ask me to turn around; my back was toward the camera. "eh?" asks me. She had to ask twice! AM NOT DEAF
(well, self delusion, perhaps)














This is a snapshot from the video of Robin with a fully fledged, adult Wedge Tailed eagle on her hand (glove).
(am, of course, now regretting that i didn't decide to come up with the extra $10 to have this pic, with me, in my files).

 The video clips add more details, and am working to edit it all together - but resources are small ... and my concentration levels are short. The project to edit it all into a coherent and interesting (amateur - really need to go back for more 'cutaways' )  documentary is time consuming - but it's mostly for Robin; and may well end up on Vimeo at some point in the future.

However ... if  this post gets enough encouragement? - will redouble efforts to complete it sooner.

revisiting personal history

Last month, had the chance to experience ten days on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

If ya wanna find out where it is - try yer favorite search engine .. heh.

Originally arrived on the Island at around age 5;  1950 - after my mother re-married to a 'Soldier settler' who took the opportunity and advantage of the offer of the gummint of the day to 'develop' farms on the Island.

Lived, learned, loved there until about 1962.

Have, now, many anecdotes, memories; of what is was like then - and images of how it is now ...
but that will have to wait until i have organised them all into some sort of coherent narrative with images.  Don't hold yer breath.

After 60 or so years - has it changed much?  Yes, and no.
One of the Island philosophies IS 'preservation'. Quite a lot of the land space is devoted to National Parks and "conservation habitat' (no rabbits, foxes, or bees - apart from the pure strain of Ligurian bees that exist on the island).

(They don't like dogs, either, had to put Abbey into kennels for the entire time .. meh).

Aaaah ..... memories.

Though if anyone wants to ask specific questions ... they will be answered.
(and no - wasn't suckled by a sealion ...).

O, have been pondering ...

... about the importance of CO2. So, can we ask politicians to take a deep breath ...
then hold it ... hold it ... hold it ........hoooold it .... HOLD IT!!!. dammit!

(yer i know, human lungs, diaphragms.  really only respond to excess CO2, then demand oxygen).

Panic slowly

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-11813699


Remain cheery, all is not lost
Yet.

A bit warm, today

35 degrees Celcius - in the shade. 45 degrees Celsius in the sun light. Sheesh.


And here's me wondering whether the reindeers of Saint Nicholas ... or the Coca Cola version of Santa Claus - will have the stamina to visit Australia this year.

Ah, but we all live in HOPE ... heh.

Pondering the problem of duality

Mostly about "citizenship" , I see many calling themselves "Italian Australian"   - but more pertinently "African American". From my point of view, one cannot be both.

Where does one's basic loyalties lay?

If people come to Australia from overseas, take an Oath,  granted "citizenship" .... what do they then call themselves?

Oddly, those who have 'family history' stretching back almost before "Federation" of Australia have never been 'required' to "Swear an Oath" to be loyal to Australia and 'obey it's laws".

......also, am very annoyed about this confusion about the words "aboriginal" and "indigenous" ..
How many generations does it take to become 'indigenous'? The place where i was born. The place where my parents were born. The place where my Grandparents were born.

However, am not of the 'aboriginal' peoples. My 'cultural' history is quite different.

Has also travelled around this vast landscape as a sort of 'gypsy'. Am  aware of what it's like to live in poverty in a desert.

Integrity

Words are interesting concepts. At this point would like to add a smidge more detail about my interaction with a policeman today. Referring back to the inspection of my motorbike.

Yes, there was a discussion about the "fee". On the phone told me that the Fee was AU$58.00. He did not carry cash, so please have the exact amount on hand.

Self was lazy, did not 'go into town' to find the exact amount.
Policeman turns up, self only had a $50.00 and a $10.00 note on hand.
"Can't take that" he sez.
"Oh, just put the other $2.00 into the local charity box", say I.
"Can't do that. I have to write a receipt for $58.00. Also have to account for every cent in my cash container"
"Sheesh", say i, old school, innocently "'tis only two bucks, what's the problem?"

"If," he responds, "at some time in the future you have occasion to question my integrity in court, and bring this discrepancy up - my integrity is shot".

Doubt that i would ever have occasion to question his integrity in court - but see his point.

We parted with a handshake.
(and a promise from me that would deliver the exact amount at 9am next Monday).

unsung heroes

Yep, am, or have become, a cantankerous elderish curmudgeon.

... but here are two of my "unsung" heroes in my recent lifetime.

Sam Jones 

and Chloe Esposito

(am sure that there will be MANY details published about  Chloe in the days to come.
She's only 24 years on this planet. Hope that she retains a strong and 'down to earth' family).


Not up to me to provide details .. freely available on the internet.

Wombat survey - citizen science

http://www.womsat.org.au/womsat/default.aspx

More details will emerge ..... if and when the NBN is connected ... heh.

40yr old Australian female wins world's toughest horse race.

[updated] 13 Sept 2014] Sam Jones : Mongol Derby  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2731007/Ten-days-30-different-horses-1000-kilometres-Mongolian-wilderness-Meet-Australian-woman-conquered-worlds-toughest-horse-race.html

(yer, well,  if she can tackle that ... perhaps she could have go at the next challenge - becoming the second female to become Prime Minister of Australia ... heh)

photo by Richard Dunwoody via ABC Radio National website

Am not sure whether it's possible to listen to the interview with her from Radio National ABC Rural website - well worth it if possible.

who gives a shit ... ?

Yer, i know - every living species on this planet excretes.

However, have just heard that whales also give an important shit.
There are microscopic entities on this planet which apparently have yet to enter the political mind.

 The short story;-

They're called phytoplankton.
Phytoplankton absorb sunlight, iron and CO2.
Krill eat phytoplankton,
Whales eat krill, but excrete iron.
Phytoplankton absorb iron and CO2, excrete oxygen.

Therefore - fewer whales = more krill = fewer phytoplankton = more CO2.

(yer i know,  can't - at this point - reduce that equation into a "three word slogan" that might have any 'political' impact ... heh.)

Doubt that "Save the whales" would have any traction among the "sell the fossils" coterie.

Tasha

Yer, i know. Perhaps am a sucker fer skinny, undernourished, intelligent,  little female tween strays.

More images as food budget permits.

How do you know when a politician is "lying"??

Yep, at this stage, we all know the "Olde" joke -
Q; "How do you know when a politician tells lies?"
A; "their lips are moving".

There is, and has been some interest, in the definition of the John Howard comment ... ' well, there are core promises, and non-core promises'.
Apparently Tony Abbot - NOW Prime Minister, has taken that 'political' advice under advisement - and continues with it.

In Australian democracy - the tradition remains.  While in "opposition" (ie. not in power) - accuse the governing majority with any sort of real or manufactured LIES; while keeping the Media away from any of yer own.

However, if the 'tables are turned' - the 'governing' majority in the "House of Parliament" - CAN, and does; lie, cheat and steal ( i really do despair about the "dumbing down" of the Australian electorate.

Bah, humbug .... bring back benevolent dictators ............. heh.
http://www.youtube./results?search_query=tony+abbot

and this is not the only clip ... search "Tony Abbot's lies" on youtube.

AND this was BEFORE the election.
OK, the tricky bit NOW - is that  why should anyone believe the -- "we are doing the best in Australia's interest" mantra ???

Yer, sorry about all that ..

Am having trouble trying to understand (or overstand) Gurgle .. but that's a different discussion..

Yep, Spring is here, the trees are flowering, bees are buzzing. Will try to get some pics .. but only if i find a bee willing to sit still long enough to allow me to poke a camera up its nose. Do bees have noses?

Ok, focus on its proboscis.

[PS. 'clorec 75' is only one word - the other is a number]. Sheesh, is this post unduly "political"? Why can't i publish it?

Yer, sorry about all that ..

Am having trouble trying to understand (or overstand) Gurgle .. but that's a different discussion..

Yep, Spring is here, the trees are flowering, bees are buzzing. Will try to get some pics .. but only if i find a bee willing to sit still long enough to allow me to poke a camera up its nose. Do bees have noses?

Ok, focus on its proboscis.

[PS. 'clorec 75' is only one word - the other is a number]. Sheesh, is this post unduly "political"? Why can't i publish it?

Yer, sorry about all that ..

Am having trouble trying to understand (or overstand) Gurgle .. but that's a different discussion..

Yep, Spring is here, the trees are flowering, bees are buzzing. Will try to get some pics .. but only if i find a bee willing to sit still long enough to allow me to poke a camera up its nose. Do bees have noses?

Ok, focus on its proboscis.

[PS. 'clorec 75' is only one word - the other is a number]. Sheesh, is this post unduly "political"? Why can't i publish it?

Ogd moves in mysterious ways

um, i don't generally comment on "news headlines" these days .. but "Ratzinger resigns" sort of tickled my funnybone.

Dunno about you lot - but self was sort of under the impression that the Supreme Papa (aka Joseph Alois Ratzinger) was 'appointed' by Ogd -  fer life!   Oy, it's not a "job", laddie; ya can't just get voted in 'find yerself there' by the Grace of Ogd, get a bit weary .. then piss orf into a secure and very comfortable retirement.

Think of the millions of subscribers believers.  Are you telling them that Ogd can do that? Get a bit "tired", collect subscribers funds;  then vanish into some "otherworld"?

Bah, humbug.

remaining afloat

Yep, another non-committal and brief post.

A friend of mine recently purchased a kayak. We took it to a nearby section of 'dam-ed' water.

Neither of us became seriously wet.