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April 1998

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WELL, AT LEAST *SOMEONE* LIKES MY JOURNAL!
Thursday, 30 April 1998

Today I got my first piece of unsolicited email from a stranger, someone who has read my journal and liked what they read enough to email me. I know its kinda cliched, but it is such a thrill whn that happens. I remember reading in others journals when that happened to them and wondered if I would ever have someone write out of the blue. I guess its kind of inevitable, but it sure is nice when it happens. There is a certain satisfaction in reaching out to someone else like that - like I said the other day, thats the whole purpose of putting it on-line: so others can read it! So, thank you, Jeanette, its a pleasure to know you, and to know my writing keep you entertained (!) 8^D

The observant may notice that I have been a bit untruthful in my journal dating. I'm so honest, I have to admit to this act of deception. I can't live with the shame any more! Ok, Ok, I didn't really write that last entry last Friday! I started it then, but was so tired, and then other things got in the way, and I didn't finish it until the middle of this week. So, I'm sorry if anyone is offended by my lack of honesty (I'll try not to let is happen again - says he with a sheepish *grin*).

OF PELICANS, STROMATALITES, DOLPHINS AND BANANA'S
Friday, 24 April 1998

It's Friday night, I'm exhausted, but I gotta tell you about the last week. We have just arrived home from a "working holiday" (well, it was for Leonie anyway - I was there as a second driver, and we can't leave Kathryn home alone - not without upsetting Child Welfare!) to Western Australia's Mid-West and Gascoyne regions. If you have a look at your maps, you'll find this on the west coast of WA, from the city of Geraldton, north to Carnarvon.

We left last Saturday morning, drove to Perth and stayed overnight with Leonie's mother. Leonie took the opportunity to visit the Murdoch University library to get some books as we passed through. Early Sunday we were on the road again, heading north. Leonie had to stop in to see a work contact at a seaside fishing town called Horrocks. It was dark by the time we got to our intended overnight stay in a caravan park at Kalbarri. Kalbarri is a holiday village famous for its spectacular scenery along the coast and up the Murchison River gorge. It was originally a fishing town, and the "restaurant" (a better term might be "eating place") we went to was originally the towns seafood ice works. It's now called Finlay's Fresh Fish BBQ - 'cause that's exactly what it is. Very open air, very popular, and very good food.

Kalbarri is also famous for the pelicans that frequent the bay - there are regular feeding sessions on the beach so you can get a close view of these strangely magnificent birds.

Next day (Monday), after viewing part of the spectacular river gorge, we drove on to the Shark Bay area. Getting there, takes you past some very flat and very *desolute* country side - the distances between towns or settlements is quite large, so at regular intervals you will find "road houses" where it is possible to get petrol and something to eat, and to have a break.

On the way into Shark Bay, is a little place called Hamelin Pool. This place is one of only two places in the whole world where stromatalites are found. Stromatalites don't look like much, but they are in fact some of the oldest living organisms on the planet. A form of alge, they group together in colonies, kinda like coral, but in evolutionary terms they are much older. It's the salty water of Hamelin Pool that keeps out other microscopic preditors, and so they survive. Check out the picture on the picture pages.

We stayed over night at Denham on the western side of the peninsular, having dinner at a quaint cottage resteraunt called "The Old Pearler" - food was good, but a bit expensive for what it was. Denhams reason for existence, apart from fishing, is the stop off point to Monkey Mia. Unique in the world, at Monkey Mia, dolphins come into shore to interact with humans. Each morning, a few will come in, watch the people watching them, get a small feed of fish from some of the people, and go away again. It's quite incredible really, and an experience not to miss. Mind you, the place is becoming somewhat commercialised now, but I guess, the dolphins don't know that!

After spending some time watching doplhins, we drove back to Denham, had a bit more of a look around there, and then headed on back down the peninsular. Along the way we stopped off at Shell Beach, another remarkable place. The beach in made entirely of little clam shells, billions of tiny shells. Kathryn had a bit of a paddle here, and we lazyed about in the sun - not a good idea for me, as I ended up with a bit of heat and sun exhaustion, and didn't feel too good for the rest of the day! 8^(

We arrived at Carnarvon later that afternoon. Just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, it has a very tropical feel about it. It is the center of a fruit growing region along the banks of the Gascoyne "River". Most of the year the river is dry, just a wide flat sand bed. But, believe it or not, water is actually flowing below the surface, and this feeds the irrigation. The main crop is bananas, and we took the opportunity to look over a banana plantation - and enjoy a banana split (of course!). Carnarvon is also the place where NASA had a tracking station for the Apollo missions, and it was this station which helped bring back the pictures of Neil Armstrongs historic jaunt. The dishs were also used in other satelite ventures, but have now been superceded and forlornly sit idle.

A couple of days in Carnarvon was not enought to really get to know the place, but, having to get back to Kalgoorlie, we left midday Thursday. The drive back was rather boring and tedious - mile after mile of flat boring road again. We broke the journey overnight at a little farming town called Mingenew, staying in the local pub.

Check out the photo record of the trip here.

WHEN THE "WARM FUZZIES" DON'T COME
Friday, 17 April 1998

Call me naive if you want, but I just discovered the other day that the 'net isn't totally populated by nice caring warm and friendly people. Yeah, I know, there are some real bastards and quite deranged people out there, but you only always hear about it happening to other people. "No ones going to hurt or upset, or even dislike me" (like I said, maybe I'm just naive).

It's not so much that I was the target for this particular incident, more I was wrongly caught up in it. A case of mistaken identity, of my being prejudged on outward appearances, rather than a deeper appreciation of my personality.

See, what happened was this. Some months ago, I found a particular journal site while searching for something completely different (I was actually searching for Monique Brumby stuff, and this person had mentioned her in one of the journal entries). So I read a bit, liked what I read, and emailed this person (perhaps in too light-hearted a fashion) with what I thought, were encouraging, complementary comments. She chose not to respond, which is OK. I really don't have a problem with that. Over the months I continued to read, and email cemments whenever I was moved by something she had written.

Then, the other day, out of the blue, she receives some "hate mail". So, she starts to wonder who sent it - the coward hid behind a hotmail address. And in her journal she made some comments that made me think she thought I had sent it - comments that I found rather offensive and rather prejudiced. Simply because she had taken a dislike to my initial email, and thought I was some kind of maniac that only read "young womens journals, then tried to make friends with them" - for obviously unsavoury reasons.

Now I'm not sure what crime I have committed in reading "young womens journals" - after all, if they are going to put them on the web, you can hardly expect them not to get read by a cross section of 'netizens. (In any case, I am much more widely read than a few "young womens journals"). But to assume I was doing it so I could sweet talk my way into someone elses life like that - well, I just find that offensive. And then to suggest I would send hate mail calling her all sorts of names simply because she didn't write back, or didn't want anything to do with me - that just shows a particularly paranoid viewpoint.

Let me state it here, quite unequivocally, I am NOT that sort of person. I do NOT read other peoples journal, for any other reason than I find them interesting, to see other view points and to hear of other opinions and experiences. And I certainly do NOT send hate mail to anyone!

For the last couple of days I have had this raging over in my mind, feeling literally ill in my stomach at the thought that someone could think this of me. Then I realised, I had done nothing wrong. I didn't have to feel this way. It was not my problem.

There now, I've got that out, and I can get on with my life, including reading other journals on the web.

TITANIC
Wednesday, 15 April 1998

Well, this is novel, getting to do two journal entries two days in a row! 8^) This one has to be written though. Last night Leonie and I went to see Titanic. Here in Kalgoorlie, its not just a matter of deciding to go out and then wondering what movie to see. You see, there is only one cinema in this town (OK, I know that kinda rates us as "hicks-ville" in entertainment terms, but thats the fact). So the upshot is that you go WHEN something is on, as the seasons usually only last a week - that way they can show all the current release stuff when it is still current, and still have people coming to the cinema! Titanic had already done its normal season earlier this year, and I hadn't had an opportunity to see it, neither here nor on one of my trips to Perth. So, when a special second season was advertised, I decided it was time to go. Especially now that it is term break at work, and I don't have night classes. It must have been a special season, because as the movie got underway I realised it was the anniversary of the sinking - April 14. That made it kinda special to watch, and kinda spookie as well. And to top it all off, it was Tuesday, and that means half price - so it only cost us $7 each (plus the obligatory icecream, popcorn and drinks!).

So what did I think of the movie? - loved it! (Would I be writing about it otherwise?) My favourite part was when they were on the bow of the boat, "flying". But, then I am an old romantic from way back, so you'd expect me to like the soppy bits. I was impressed by the graphics too - although to a trained eye (who, me?) they were obviously computer generated. But I was interested to see those bits - from a professional viewpoint. I thought the story line was great - quite credible. And the acting was well done - also quite believable.

I have seen quite a few movies about the Titanic, including the Omni 3-D movie of the dive on the wreck - now, that was quite an experience. I think this one is one of the better.

I'm glad I got to see it now, rather than wait for the video release.

FRONT PAGE NEWS
Tuesday, 14 April 1998

It's not often you or your family make front page news (even in small local newspapers). In most cases, we don't want to, because "front page" news isn't always good. But today we had a pleasant surprise. Last week, as part of Kathryn's school work, they had a "true blue" Aussie dress up day. Leonie had spent several hours getting Kathryn's Gumnut Baby costume all ready. Kathryn didn't tell us the photograph was taken, hence the surprise on the front page of the Kalgoorlie Miner this morning! For those of you that don't recognise the characters, they are, from the left, a galah, Little Ragged Blossum (the Gumnut Baby), a kangaroo, Vegemite, and the gold prospector. The idea for the dress up day, came from their teachers after the students had used the Internet to speak to other students around the world to learn more of other cultures. They decided an Australian activity day would instill a sense of their own country, and help them to answer their overseas e-pals questions about Australia.

Always makes me so proud of my daughter!

HAPPY EASTER
Saturday, 11 April 1998

It's now Saturday night and I'm not so angry as I was the other day. I guess what I meant by "angry" is more that there have been a lot of issues bubbling through my mind these last few weeks. I've been wanting to write about them, but didn't feel comfortable enough to get into full rant mode. See, I'm really a chicken at heart. I have these moments when I get so frustrated with something, but can't do anything about it. Leonie is always saying, when I do get into rant mode with her, "Why don't you just write a letter to the editor about it?" Sort of, "Get it out of your system for gawd sake!" But then the heat of the argument passes and I don't do anything about it. But it still simmers away. So, I felt I should write something about it - to get it off my chest so to speak.

Yesterday morning Kathryn left with some friends to go for a few days camping down at Esperence. Leonie and I have the house to ourselves. Only thing is, I haven't spent much time at home with her. For most of yesterday I was with Adrian getting the survey for our Grad Dip project up on his server at work - it took most of Good Friday to get it up, tested and working. So, now its over to all of you out there, go do the survey! You'll find it here. It'll only take a few minutes of your time, so PLEASE go and do it. For me!

Being away from Easyslim for a couple of week hasn't helped, and I've gone back where I started - it is getting so frustrating, and now Easters here! *sigh* I need to be reminded not to indulge too much. Plus the exercise hasn't been happening like it was. "Life wasn't meant to be easy".

Have a happy Easter, anyway.

"ANGRY" from KALGOORLIE
Thursday, 9 April 1998

Bill hoardings advertise products that nobody needs
While "Angry" from Manchester writes to complain about all the repeats on T.V.

I'm angry!

I'm angry that the bunch of politicians we call our Commonwealth Government can collude so closely (it was even announced to the world by the so-called "Minister for Industrial Relations") with greedy people that would sack honest workers to suit their ideological bent, simply becaue they are unionists.

I'm angry that these same politicians, and their State counterparts are so childish, and can't, or won't adequately fund a health system in such a shambles that people are DYING waiting for "elective" surgey that never comes because there is not enough money.

I'm angry that our Prime Minister doesn't have it in his heart to offer the two sincere words ("I'm sorry") that would help heal racial divisions and encourage true reconciliation.

I'm angry that so much legal resource goes into pursuing two doctors, when so much crime and violence goes unchecked and unanswered.

I'm angry that this country seems to be going backwards in it's thinking, and that so much of what was good about Australia, and was owned by Australians is being sold off at "fire sale" prices.

I'm angry that greedy spiteful people can destroy much of our environment rather that preserve it.

I'm angry that as a people we are so much poorer and meaner in spirit because competition instead of co-operation is now paramount.

I'm angry that the dollar speaks louder than what is right in so many situations.

I'm angry that it is such an uphill battle to change for the better and people just don't seem to see the need to change.

I'm angry that there doesn't seem to be too much I can do about all this. I feel so helpless. But then again, maybe I have done something, simply by writing it here. Maybe someone will read it and THINK for a change.

But I'm only one man. Thats why I'm really angry!

Nothing ever happens, nothing happens at all
The needle returns to the start of the song, and we all sing along like before
Nothing ever happens, nothing happens at all
They'll burn down the synagogues at six o'clock, and we'll all go along like before

And we'll all be lonely tonight and lonely tomorrow

- Words by Del Amitri

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
Tuesday, 7 April 1998

It's been a fairly busy and productive day at work for me today. I now have a new professional web site up - courtesy of my employer. On our server here (the one that my email address is on), we each have a directory that we may put stuff in related to our work. So far only a few of the staff have taken up the option, probably because many don't know how to set it up. That's where that little bit of exciting news I was talking about a few days ago might come into it's own - setting up templates, and training the other staff to use them so we can all publish course material on the 'net.

Well I've made a start. It's fairly basic, and so far there's not much there yet, but I needed to get the infrastructure in.

The whole impetus for this exercise started when I was getting one of my assignments ready to hand in - the project proposal for Curriculum Development. I thought, well why not publish it on the web - it is afterall about a specialist internet course, so why not demonstrate it in an appropriate way?

So, if you want to go check it out, the main site is here, the project proposal document is found by looking in the My Study part - it shouldn't be too hard to find it - its the only thing of any real significance on the site at the moment!

Which reminds me, when I get the survey up - I'm gonna ask you all to participate! Please? 8^)

GONE BUSH
Sunday, 5 April 1998

I'm exhausted! It is mid Sunday afternoon and a I have not long arrived home from a weekend in the "bush". Up early Saturday morning ("Too early" was Leonies comment), I was off on a weekend bivouc with the Air Training Corp cadets. We had planned this as a training weekend to the "Lake" Douglas area not far from Kalgoorlie. I say "lake", but after the long and drier than usual summer, there is really only a dry depression in the flat country to look at now.
The weather has been better these last few weeks, not as hot, but still there is no rain to fill such a lake - so, like everything else up here, the water is carried in.

The cadets had actually gone up Friday evening, but I needed to attend the graduation ceremony for college - it was my duty to see former students from last year graduate, and besides, I might have been needed to participate in the ceremony. Still the free drinks and nibblies at the pre-ceremony function were enjoyed, and the guest speaker actually had an interesting message for the assembled graduates and guests.

Anyway, back to the cadet camp. Saturday morning was taken up with practical "classroom" lessons for the cadets - the new recruits being introduced to the camp routine, the second year cadets being prepared to learn how to lead groups of cadets on navigation exercises, and the senior cadets doing the teaching. The afternoon was set aside for a planned six-leg navigation exercise. The cadets I was with did well, until on the third leg, a rather long one at that, they couldn't located the check point. After walking through the rugged country-side for over an hour, they came to realise they were not going to find it. My role in all this is to observe and only step in if there is any danger. I normally just follow a short distance behind, and watch. In this situation, I didn't need to step in either as the two leading cadets conducting the exercise realised the situation and did the right thing to abandon the rest of the exercise and get us back to base camp as quick as possible. They reacted well under stress, and I am confident the training they have been given has paid off.

The evening was time for me to relax by the camp fire, while the cadets burned off excess energy in a "lanturn stalk" up the hill behind base camp. All of us were quite tired by the time we went for the tents that night. This morning was some more training exercises for the recruits organised by the senior cadets and by lunchtime we were packed up and ready to return. All-in-all a great weekend. I really fell like I have lived though, as I have discovered several muscles I didn't think I had - I can certainly feel them now!