I'm not sure that there's much to say today, but I will have a crack at it.
I woke this morning and a sense of urgency was in the air. What was it? My partner was likely to be late for a dental appointment.
With morning ablutions completed, breakfast eaten, clothes carefully thrown on, it was in the car and off down the Parkway to that dental appointment.
A little later on the phone rings, she's stuck on the Parkway, it appears that there is work being done on the roadway or something and the traffic is not moving in either direction. Could I please ring the dental surgery and explain the situation to them.
Naturally I do what I am told. I would not be much good as a partner otherwise.
A hunt for the phone number ensues, followed by the call to the surgery. It appears that the surgeon is also running late and so the chances are that by the time she arrives they may well be ready for her.
Now that's what I call dumb blind luck.
No sooner had I written all of this, the phone rings again. It's my partner from the surgery. She has arrived there, they are still not ready for her. Much ado about nothing are my first thoughts then she tells me that it appears that the problem on the way was a vehicle overturned and lying on its roof.
Wow, this is big news! I suspect that this is a serious enough accident to appear on the evening news tonight, so we will all be able to see it in all it's dreadful gory detail.
BTW I hope that no one YOU know was involved.
This is what it's like when you have reporters on the road reporting the daily grind to you in all its pristine glory.
I am now waiting for my other correspondents around the world to give me some other items of news. It could be a long wait, so I might just end here for now.
Salut from Garpet
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Information from a correspondent in Israel
It has become necessary to have around the world a network of correspondents, who can provide information.
In this particular instance, my information is provided by someone called Yaacov in Israel. I acknowledge that the sources is biased, but by alerting my readers to this, I hope that they will get at least the poignant cry for understanding that I believe, the message contains.
From an Israeli point of view, life would be good for everyone concerned, if only "those people" in Hamas would stop firing their rockets. From the point of view of the people in Gaza it's probably fair enough to say, "if only those people in Israel would stop sending their planes over to drop bombs or sending the military across with their tanks and shells" life would be a lot better.
Is there no answer to this problem? I guess that based on past performance there is likely to be no answer besides more death, more injury, more mourning, more tears, and probably more tedious commentary from people such as myself.
Perhaps the best I can do is to wish that in the New Year "peace" breaks out again, if only for a while, even if it is once again at the point of a gun.
In this particular instance, my information is provided by someone called Yaacov in Israel. I acknowledge that the sources is biased, but by alerting my readers to this, I hope that they will get at least the poignant cry for understanding that I believe, the message contains.
"Well as you probably heard, the Israeli Army decided finally to do something about the rocket attacks coming out of Gaza. Last Wednesday over 120 rockets were fired from Gaza on the settlements and towns around Gaza. Miraculously no one was hurt physically. Psychologically the damage cannot be measured. As soon as the alarm goes off, anybody living within 10 kms of the border has about 10 seconds to get under cover. Further on, within 30 kms of the border, people have between 15 -25 seconds to find cover. It's not a pleasant way to live. Think of the kids. Some damage was caused. There is a good chance that reserves will be called up today. If I get a call I will let you know.Of those of us who live in Australia, I think it is almost impossible for most of us to understand what it means to live in fear of a daily barrage of rockets, courtesy of Hamas or the fear of Israeli shells or bombs. Suffice it to say that for both sides of the population in or near Gaza, an unacceptable level fear is the common element.
I should mention that rockets were being fired on a daily basis for the past few years. Last Wednesday was a bit exceptional, because of the masses of rockets. Our government was a bit hesitant, because it is full of people who worry more about what the "goyim" (non Jews - Ed.) think, than what its citizens need. There are also elections coming up in about a month and the government has very good reason to believe its going to be whacked."
From an Israeli point of view, life would be good for everyone concerned, if only "those people" in Hamas would stop firing their rockets. From the point of view of the people in Gaza it's probably fair enough to say, "if only those people in Israel would stop sending their planes over to drop bombs or sending the military across with their tanks and shells" life would be a lot better.
Is there no answer to this problem? I guess that based on past performance there is likely to be no answer besides more death, more injury, more mourning, more tears, and probably more tedious commentary from people such as myself.
Perhaps the best I can do is to wish that in the New Year "peace" breaks out again, if only for a while, even if it is once again at the point of a gun.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
What if?
I was just reading the news and saw the item about Wild Oats XI.
I had been wondering up to this point in time why this vessel was trailing the other yacht Skandia. Apparently there is nothing like having a 2 metre shark stuck in your rudder to make you lose pace.
I wonder how much of a lead Wild Oats XI would have had without the shark incident? The new sail could possibly have increased the record even further had the shark not become entangled in the rudder.
I had been wondering up to this point in time why this vessel was trailing the other yacht Skandia. Apparently there is nothing like having a 2 metre shark stuck in your rudder to make you lose pace.
I wonder how much of a lead Wild Oats XI would have had without the shark incident? The new sail could possibly have increased the record even further had the shark not become entangled in the rudder.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Solo sailor thanks rescuers.
The ABC reports that the French sailor rescued off Western Australia's south coast at the weekend has described his experience as the worst five days of his life.
He has thanked the rescuers.
Talk is cheap.
At present, if I understand it correctly, rescuing one of these sailors in the Antarctic waters to the south of our continent costs money, big-money, I'm told it's in the vicinity of $1 million. So talk is cheap. Welcome, but cheap.
When the race organisers hold these competitions I think they should ensure that the sailors or competitors if you wish, get some form of insurance against the risk of their yacht being damaged during the race and the yachtsman requiring some form of rescue.
In the event that one of these conditions takes place I then think it is up to the race organisers and/or the insurance company to reimburse the country that has taken the trouble of rescuing the sailor. There is no reason that the taxpayers of the country that makes its warships available to rescue this sailor should be held accountable for the costs that are incurred in rescuing the sailor.
I do not want people to change their ways and stop challenging the elements in a race in which the sailor competes, I also do not want to to try and change the law of the sea which makes it incumbent on whichever country happens to own the waters in question to rescue sailors as a matter of course. My question is about who should be responsible for the cost.
In my opinion it should be the race organisers or their insurers.
Anyone care to comment? If not, have a very happy New Year.
He has thanked the rescuers.
Talk is cheap.
At present, if I understand it correctly, rescuing one of these sailors in the Antarctic waters to the south of our continent costs money, big-money, I'm told it's in the vicinity of $1 million. So talk is cheap. Welcome, but cheap.
When the race organisers hold these competitions I think they should ensure that the sailors or competitors if you wish, get some form of insurance against the risk of their yacht being damaged during the race and the yachtsman requiring some form of rescue.
In the event that one of these conditions takes place I then think it is up to the race organisers and/or the insurance company to reimburse the country that has taken the trouble of rescuing the sailor. There is no reason that the taxpayers of the country that makes its warships available to rescue this sailor should be held accountable for the costs that are incurred in rescuing the sailor.
I do not want people to change their ways and stop challenging the elements in a race in which the sailor competes, I also do not want to to try and change the law of the sea which makes it incumbent on whichever country happens to own the waters in question to rescue sailors as a matter of course. My question is about who should be responsible for the cost.
In my opinion it should be the race organisers or their insurers.
Anyone care to comment? If not, have a very happy New Year.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Value for money
'Value for money' is the title of this note for a good reason Russia's Nikolai Valuev has just defeated American Evander Holyfield in a match for the world heavyweight or WBA boxing title.
What do you expect, the man is 7 foot tall and has the reach of a kangaroo's back feet (12 cm longer than his opponent,) One is 46 the other 35, I will let you guess which is which.
This is what the world is coming to, the Romans saw it when their empire was ending. They only had bread and circuses for the masses. We have more ambitious fare.
In Australia our Prime Minister is making announcements about billions of dollars being spent on the homeless, he has also guaranteed banking funds and no doubt we will soon see some more bread and circuses type material to help us get through the economic crisis that we are told by everyone else is already well and truly upon us.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, spend spend spend, put a few dollars [or better still one or more credit cards] in your pocket go out and buy all those things you can never wanted never needed, but just had to have.
I'm sure the economy will recover as a result of all this spending that we are doing in the shops right now. That's right folks we can welcome in 2009 knowing that everything is right with the world because Kevin has said so. Well not in so many words, in fact to be brutally honest he has started to make some statements about the reality of life, that perhaps the recession is going to reach Australia that perhaps we are losing the battle because we are not cushioned from the effects of the overseas debacle that has affected all of the first world nations [or words to this effect] to the point where governments are spending billions of dollars of their citizens' money to try and stop the recession from happening and finding out far too late that the recession is well and truly here and the money has gone.
I have no idea where governments find all the money that they're throwing at this fiscal crisis. In Australia maybe there is some truth to the claim that we are only spending the money that resides in our surplus. I'm not sure where other nations are finding their money. In an environment where the Americans have always said that free trade and lack of controls should be the way of the future, because it is the way of the free and democratic ways that are supported by all that is holy in the United States, we have this tragedy where the very lack of controls that were being encouraged seem to have resulted in the mess we now face. Not only has it affected the United States, but it has affected all those countries that put their faith in the United States as a global leader or to be more frank, those that want to participate in the riches that seemed to be flowing towards that country.
It seems to me that from 2009 onwards there will be greater controls over finances, there will be greater controls over banks, there will be greater controls on businesses unless those countries that are currently considered to be first world countries wish to slip back to being third or even fourth world nations.
There is no way of knowing whether we will pull out of this recession, and if we do what the world will look like when we have done so. I'm unlikely to see the end of this process which is why I asked the question why greed has been allowed to triumph, yet again.
In the past we have seen that when people are confronted with opportunities to make themselves rich without any fear of consequences about how they make themselves rich, then some form of disaster usually follows. We have seen this time and time again over the centuries. The economies may have been different the countries certainly were, the systems of government certainly were.
What was really different was that in the Roman Empire and the Greek empire there were slaves. We don't have slaves nor am I suggesting that we should, however what a difference that would make just think of the thousands of people who would need to be supported by the rich in each country of the world. It this the sort of world that we want to happen again? I hope not.
I am not an economist nor am I bright enough to figure out the way ahead I'm just one of those chumps who followed the logic that said if I work hard and I save my money and I spend only on those things that I need then I will be able to have enough at the end of my working life to support me in retirement until I am dead, perhaps there may also be a little left over for other members of my family so that their burden can be eased.
As it happens, I'm not sure what will happen to me and I am certainly not sure what will happen to all my readers, but I know that most people are having a very very good Christmas blowout because this might be the last they see of a "rich" life for a long time.
What do you expect, the man is 7 foot tall and has the reach of a kangaroo's back feet (12 cm longer than his opponent,) One is 46 the other 35, I will let you guess which is which.
This is what the world is coming to, the Romans saw it when their empire was ending. They only had bread and circuses for the masses. We have more ambitious fare.
In Australia our Prime Minister is making announcements about billions of dollars being spent on the homeless, he has also guaranteed banking funds and no doubt we will soon see some more bread and circuses type material to help us get through the economic crisis that we are told by everyone else is already well and truly upon us.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, spend spend spend, put a few dollars [or better still one or more credit cards] in your pocket go out and buy all those things you can never wanted never needed, but just had to have.
I'm sure the economy will recover as a result of all this spending that we are doing in the shops right now. That's right folks we can welcome in 2009 knowing that everything is right with the world because Kevin has said so. Well not in so many words, in fact to be brutally honest he has started to make some statements about the reality of life, that perhaps the recession is going to reach Australia that perhaps we are losing the battle because we are not cushioned from the effects of the overseas debacle that has affected all of the first world nations [or words to this effect] to the point where governments are spending billions of dollars of their citizens' money to try and stop the recession from happening and finding out far too late that the recession is well and truly here and the money has gone.
I have no idea where governments find all the money that they're throwing at this fiscal crisis. In Australia maybe there is some truth to the claim that we are only spending the money that resides in our surplus. I'm not sure where other nations are finding their money. In an environment where the Americans have always said that free trade and lack of controls should be the way of the future, because it is the way of the free and democratic ways that are supported by all that is holy in the United States, we have this tragedy where the very lack of controls that were being encouraged seem to have resulted in the mess we now face. Not only has it affected the United States, but it has affected all those countries that put their faith in the United States as a global leader or to be more frank, those that want to participate in the riches that seemed to be flowing towards that country.
It seems to me that from 2009 onwards there will be greater controls over finances, there will be greater controls over banks, there will be greater controls on businesses unless those countries that are currently considered to be first world countries wish to slip back to being third or even fourth world nations.
There is no way of knowing whether we will pull out of this recession, and if we do what the world will look like when we have done so. I'm unlikely to see the end of this process which is why I asked the question why greed has been allowed to triumph, yet again.
In the past we have seen that when people are confronted with opportunities to make themselves rich without any fear of consequences about how they make themselves rich, then some form of disaster usually follows. We have seen this time and time again over the centuries. The economies may have been different the countries certainly were, the systems of government certainly were.
What was really different was that in the Roman Empire and the Greek empire there were slaves. We don't have slaves nor am I suggesting that we should, however what a difference that would make just think of the thousands of people who would need to be supported by the rich in each country of the world. It this the sort of world that we want to happen again? I hope not.
I am not an economist nor am I bright enough to figure out the way ahead I'm just one of those chumps who followed the logic that said if I work hard and I save my money and I spend only on those things that I need then I will be able to have enough at the end of my working life to support me in retirement until I am dead, perhaps there may also be a little left over for other members of my family so that their burden can be eased.
As it happens, I'm not sure what will happen to me and I am certainly not sure what will happen to all my readers, but I know that most people are having a very very good Christmas blowout because this might be the last they see of a "rich" life for a long time.
changes to the Michelin guide
A news item from the BBC suggest that a German woman is now editing the Michelin guide.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7792384.stm
When you read this you won't believe it either. We know from the article that an English person was involved with the red edition of the Michelin guide until recently. This was enough of a shock to the system, but that someone involved being neither French nor male ends a distinguished and historic line of commentary on French cuisine.
There are great changes in the world and I guess most of us will simply have to go with the flow in a similar fashion I guess most of us will have to accept all of the changes that are occurring in the world simply because we live in it.
Were this not the case I wonder whether we would still be as shocked and/or as interested in such matters. After all if we are a colony on Mars or a colony on the moon would we care about what was happening back on Earth? I suppose not.
Still I wonder if we can maintain some standards while we live here - no offence meant to the person who obtained a position, but tradition is tradition.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7792384.stm
When you read this you won't believe it either. We know from the article that an English person was involved with the red edition of the Michelin guide until recently. This was enough of a shock to the system, but that someone involved being neither French nor male ends a distinguished and historic line of commentary on French cuisine.
There are great changes in the world and I guess most of us will simply have to go with the flow in a similar fashion I guess most of us will have to accept all of the changes that are occurring in the world simply because we live in it.
Were this not the case I wonder whether we would still be as shocked and/or as interested in such matters. After all if we are a colony on Mars or a colony on the moon would we care about what was happening back on Earth? I suppose not.
Still I wonder if we can maintain some standards while we live here - no offence meant to the person who obtained a position, but tradition is tradition.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Christmas a season to be jolly or . . .
Merry Christmas to all of my readers, friends, relatives, and anybody else I have not mentioned at this point. I also wish them a happy New Year and in my case what that means is that everyone is at least healthier and hopefully more wealthier than in the last year and certainly a lot wiser than they were before.
I'm not sure if this is too much to ask, but at present, I don't really care. It seems to me that wanting to wish everyone well is probably more useful if you at least explain what it is that you wishing for so, let's explore a little.
There are those of us who are planning holidays next year to other countries even though the illness that we have is likely to make that difficult if not impossible. I like the sense of forward thinking and I like the desire to plan in the face of potential adversity. For the individual concerned you know who you are my best wishes go out to you and I hope that you not only have a wonderful trip but that you are also capable of having many more.
For others who have made the decision to delay their travel overseas by at least one year, having recently crossed our own continent in their little four-wheel drives I wish them well with the rest period. Of those who have made it possible for me to be able to view digital television -- thank you. You have no idea what a relief it is to find someone who can read the manual outcome of what seems like a collaboration between Korean/Japanese/Hungarian/Arabic translation experts. This is the only way I can describe the handbook that came with the machines. I have no idea how anybody else translates these burnt offerings to those who can, may you increase your knowledge of electronics, and increase your ability to pass that on to practical application and practical help to others far less empowered than you are.
I'm not sure if this is too much to ask, but at present, I don't really care. It seems to me that wanting to wish everyone well is probably more useful if you at least explain what it is that you wishing for so, let's explore a little.
There are those of us who are planning holidays next year to other countries even though the illness that we have is likely to make that difficult if not impossible. I like the sense of forward thinking and I like the desire to plan in the face of potential adversity. For the individual concerned you know who you are my best wishes go out to you and I hope that you not only have a wonderful trip but that you are also capable of having many more.
For others who have made the decision to delay their travel overseas by at least one year, having recently crossed our own continent in their little four-wheel drives I wish them well with the rest period. Of those who have made it possible for me to be able to view digital television -- thank you. You have no idea what a relief it is to find someone who can read the manual outcome of what seems like a collaboration between Korean/Japanese/Hungarian/Arabic translation experts. This is the only way I can describe the handbook that came with the machines. I have no idea how anybody else translates these burnt offerings to those who can, may you increase your knowledge of electronics, and increase your ability to pass that on to practical application and practical help to others far less empowered than you are.
Dragon speaking naturally preferred
It is now several days since I acquired a copy of Dragon Speaking Naturally Preferred, Version 10. Setting up this new program has been a breeze, or at least far easier than it used to be when I first tried dictating programs like this one some years ago. What is really nice about this version is that it adds the ability to mimic or at least emulate an Australian accent and the user is provided with an Australian dictionary.
I have been trying to use it in various ways with various programs that I own, and it works in some more easily than it does in others. To my amazement I have found that within the program there are two items about which I was ignorant when I started. One is called dictation box, while the other is called Dragon pad. Dictation box is more like a simple text emulator while Dragon pad is more like a word processing program that is limited in size and scope. I have found that outside of what is available within the program a very old version of Lotus Word Pro and post-it notes text block seem to work best of all.
Not being a supporter of Microsoft products I'm unable to use the obvious interplay between Nuance and Microsoft. I have found that the program does not like to work inside of Google or Open Office environments. What I have found delicious is that the dictation program within Dragon speaking actually has a 'transfer' function. In other words once you have dictated what it is that you want to say and you have open, your blog for example, the program actually transfers your dictated text into your blog without you having to lift a finger. No more control - C and Control - V, just a voice command 'transfer', how good is that?
Obviously it will take many more days before I feel comfortable with the program and before it feels comfortable with me. Let me end this particular post on this note, all of this was published using the program and took just minutes rather than the time it would have taken had I typed it with one hand.
I have been trying to use it in various ways with various programs that I own, and it works in some more easily than it does in others. To my amazement I have found that within the program there are two items about which I was ignorant when I started. One is called dictation box, while the other is called Dragon pad. Dictation box is more like a simple text emulator while Dragon pad is more like a word processing program that is limited in size and scope. I have found that outside of what is available within the program a very old version of Lotus Word Pro and post-it notes text block seem to work best of all.
Not being a supporter of Microsoft products I'm unable to use the obvious interplay between Nuance and Microsoft. I have found that the program does not like to work inside of Google or Open Office environments. What I have found delicious is that the dictation program within Dragon speaking actually has a 'transfer' function. In other words once you have dictated what it is that you want to say and you have open, your blog for example, the program actually transfers your dictated text into your blog without you having to lift a finger. No more control - C and Control - V, just a voice command 'transfer', how good is that?
Obviously it will take many more days before I feel comfortable with the program and before it feels comfortable with me. Let me end this particular post on this note, all of this was published using the program and took just minutes rather than the time it would have taken had I typed it with one hand.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
News from here and there
What to do about people who make comments on your blog?
I'm not sure I have the answer but I will say one thing if the person making the comment, is sensible enough, to leave their name and some way of contacting them then I can make a decision about whether or not to publish their comment.
Recently I received a comment from someone calling themselves ' Sarah '. Alas this person did not believe some form of forwarding address or some means of being able to reply to their comment other than to do so on my own blog. This is exactly what I'm doing however what I would prefer to do in future is to be able to find out who the person is that is making comments to me and be in a position to read their blog and make a comment back to them about their content.
Catching up on the news, we have just had a visit from two old friends from work.
I cannot believe the stories they have been telling us. They are both retired from the public service. They now live in Queensland and have purchased the necessary equipment to engage in the joyous pursuit of happiness through caravanning across Australia.
We have been regaled with the story of the recent trouble across the Canning Stock Route which goes from one side of Australia to the other. I cannot believe what they have been telling us.
Imagine if you will, that there are four or five people driving their four-wheel drives, presumably without their caravans or caravans that are built for off-road conditions, across some of the worst roads or tracks of Australia. The story we have been told involves corrugated roads extending for hundreds of miles where you are in touch with the rest of the world only through a satellite phone or occasionally if you are near a settlement by means of a mobile phone. We have heard about bolts shearing, tyres going flat, fuel tanks rupturing, bull bars being torn off, sweat, heat, sand, bushes earmarked as toilet pits, all this amid glorious scenery and wonderful tourist delights.
It is difficult to know what to believe, whether our friends are seriously insane or just revisiting their childhood when they talk about their adventures. I think they're really trying to recapture some of their youth and frankly I think they are doing a very good job.
What I find difficult to believe is how anyone can tolerate these kind of conditions for six weeks or more without going crazy. I suppose the answer lies in the nature of the relationship amongst the people we are talking about. If you are deeply in love and have come to accept all of the good bad and the ugly characteristics of your partner then you could perhaps survive these weeks of torturous travel or at the least what I would call torturous travel.
Not to be derogatory about the wilds of Australia, but I am more likely to travel with my partner in the sumptuous comfort of a camper van in France or Austria or Germany, indeed any place in Europe. Alas even these delights no longer tempt me thanks to the ongoing progress of my illness.
I am delighted to be able to report however, that I have done these journeys in earlier days and have benefited from them by adding some basic language skills from some of the countries that I visited.
Only today I was reminded that there were new words that I have learnt from my partner in life that have benefited our travels in many ways.
I have a story of our travel in Turkey that perhaps others may find of interest. Imagine if you will getting out of your hotel and being surrounded by (usually) young children with their hands out asking for money or in a market otherwise known as a 'shouk' where it is the vendors at their stalls asking you loudly and forcibly to buy something.
After several days of this pestering, one gets to the stage of wanting to find a means of not being pestered. In my case, the trick was to speak in Hungarian to those who asked me for money accompanied by an offer to buy some of their products if they could understand the language that I was speaking.
I managed to get away with this trick in most places, but not in Turkey. In Turkey one vendor at least be will able to speak the language, in my case this vendor just happened to be a silversmith.
The lesson learnt was to keep the big mouth shut or buy my beloved a nice present.
I'm not sure I have the answer but I will say one thing if the person making the comment, is sensible enough, to leave their name and some way of contacting them then I can make a decision about whether or not to publish their comment.
Recently I received a comment from someone calling themselves ' Sarah '. Alas this person did not believe some form of forwarding address or some means of being able to reply to their comment other than to do so on my own blog. This is exactly what I'm doing however what I would prefer to do in future is to be able to find out who the person is that is making comments to me and be in a position to read their blog and make a comment back to them about their content.
Catching up on the news, we have just had a visit from two old friends from work.
I cannot believe the stories they have been telling us. They are both retired from the public service. They now live in Queensland and have purchased the necessary equipment to engage in the joyous pursuit of happiness through caravanning across Australia.
We have been regaled with the story of the recent trouble across the Canning Stock Route which goes from one side of Australia to the other. I cannot believe what they have been telling us.
Imagine if you will, that there are four or five people driving their four-wheel drives, presumably without their caravans or caravans that are built for off-road conditions, across some of the worst roads or tracks of Australia. The story we have been told involves corrugated roads extending for hundreds of miles where you are in touch with the rest of the world only through a satellite phone or occasionally if you are near a settlement by means of a mobile phone. We have heard about bolts shearing, tyres going flat, fuel tanks rupturing, bull bars being torn off, sweat, heat, sand, bushes earmarked as toilet pits, all this amid glorious scenery and wonderful tourist delights.
It is difficult to know what to believe, whether our friends are seriously insane or just revisiting their childhood when they talk about their adventures. I think they're really trying to recapture some of their youth and frankly I think they are doing a very good job.
What I find difficult to believe is how anyone can tolerate these kind of conditions for six weeks or more without going crazy. I suppose the answer lies in the nature of the relationship amongst the people we are talking about. If you are deeply in love and have come to accept all of the good bad and the ugly characteristics of your partner then you could perhaps survive these weeks of torturous travel or at the least what I would call torturous travel.
Not to be derogatory about the wilds of Australia, but I am more likely to travel with my partner in the sumptuous comfort of a camper van in France or Austria or Germany, indeed any place in Europe. Alas even these delights no longer tempt me thanks to the ongoing progress of my illness.
I am delighted to be able to report however, that I have done these journeys in earlier days and have benefited from them by adding some basic language skills from some of the countries that I visited.
Only today I was reminded that there were new words that I have learnt from my partner in life that have benefited our travels in many ways.
I have a story of our travel in Turkey that perhaps others may find of interest. Imagine if you will getting out of your hotel and being surrounded by (usually) young children with their hands out asking for money or in a market otherwise known as a 'shouk' where it is the vendors at their stalls asking you loudly and forcibly to buy something.
After several days of this pestering, one gets to the stage of wanting to find a means of not being pestered. In my case, the trick was to speak in Hungarian to those who asked me for money accompanied by an offer to buy some of their products if they could understand the language that I was speaking.
I managed to get away with this trick in most places, but not in Turkey. In Turkey one vendor at least be will able to speak the language, in my case this vendor just happened to be a silversmith.
The lesson learnt was to keep the big mouth shut or buy my beloved a nice present.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Pain amidst the passion and a request
I have been inflicted with yet another sign which tells me to shut up. I have been deprived of the use of my right hand and instead been inflicted with pain where there was none.
The loss of a right hand to a typist is monumental and since I have also lost the use of most of my vocal cords as well I need to try out the very best of those programs that convert sound into text to see if my now sibilant offerings will do the trick and enable me to type again. If not, then this is the end of my blogging days as well. I simply cannot afford to lose the use of my other hand to typing when I need it desperately for other purposes like dressing myself.
I would now like to ask all of those who are computer literate to an extent I will never be able to reach, to help me with information.
What is currently the very best of those programs that convert conversation into typed English text. At this point I do not much care whether it is 'tuned' to an American accent or indeed any other accent. With the product from my vocal cords I do not expect to be emulating any given accent any time soon.
Advice would be appreciated so that I can give myself a belated Chrissie present or something. However if you have tried it and it works for you then this is the best recommendation if you have not tried it then please do NOT give me the recommendations of the manufacturer, just tell me it's out there and I will try and find someone who has tried it and found it to work and work well.
I do need help of the kind that the choice magazines will not provide, real personal help from people who know, because they have tried to use a product and who as a result are able to tell me all the truths, good bad and ugly.
Thanks in advance to those who make their views known. Thanks to those who will ring me, send an email or a phone message or a reply to this blog via a comment.
I really need the info folks and fast. My lack of ability to communicate is perhaps even more serious than the cancer. It can kill me, the lack of ability to communicate easily just makes the continuation of existence miserable and THAT I think is probably worse than just dying.
Amazing what I value hey?
I wonder what others value and whether being able to reach out and say G'day and then chat is valued by others as much as it appears to be by me? Whether being able to register your thoughts on a daily basis and just get them out either to no one or to a group of people who find some things of value amidst the dross?
Don't really know, but I do want to find out - especially if you are all not too busy to say the magic "G'day."
Garpet
The loss of a right hand to a typist is monumental and since I have also lost the use of most of my vocal cords as well I need to try out the very best of those programs that convert sound into text to see if my now sibilant offerings will do the trick and enable me to type again. If not, then this is the end of my blogging days as well. I simply cannot afford to lose the use of my other hand to typing when I need it desperately for other purposes like dressing myself.
I would now like to ask all of those who are computer literate to an extent I will never be able to reach, to help me with information.
What is currently the very best of those programs that convert conversation into typed English text. At this point I do not much care whether it is 'tuned' to an American accent or indeed any other accent. With the product from my vocal cords I do not expect to be emulating any given accent any time soon.
Advice would be appreciated so that I can give myself a belated Chrissie present or something. However if you have tried it and it works for you then this is the best recommendation if you have not tried it then please do NOT give me the recommendations of the manufacturer, just tell me it's out there and I will try and find someone who has tried it and found it to work and work well.
I do need help of the kind that the choice magazines will not provide, real personal help from people who know, because they have tried to use a product and who as a result are able to tell me all the truths, good bad and ugly.
Thanks in advance to those who make their views known. Thanks to those who will ring me, send an email or a phone message or a reply to this blog via a comment.
I really need the info folks and fast. My lack of ability to communicate is perhaps even more serious than the cancer. It can kill me, the lack of ability to communicate easily just makes the continuation of existence miserable and THAT I think is probably worse than just dying.
Amazing what I value hey?
I wonder what others value and whether being able to reach out and say G'day and then chat is valued by others as much as it appears to be by me? Whether being able to register your thoughts on a daily basis and just get them out either to no one or to a group of people who find some things of value amidst the dross?
Don't really know, but I do want to find out - especially if you are all not too busy to say the magic "G'day."
Garpet
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