Jerry_Atrick

Win, lose, or draw

I am sure there's an app for it.

Just be a browser cache thing as I am still getting it. Rather that than clear my cache

May want to change the <title> element (or javascript equivalent) as it is still reading Recreational Fying (unless it is by design.. it doesn't detract from the gist of the site.. )

erm.. I had something similar... Except no Tina. This used to be my cyling route to/from work about 15 years ago: I was cycling down the main road coming out of Kensington, and the traffic was awfully gnarly.. But, I came across a small median strip in the road that I was able to mount without getting off the bike to get me to the front of th traffic lights (I normally am a very considerate and obedient rider, but traffic was going nowehere fast). I bolt along the 10 or 15 yards of the median strip and as I am slowing down for the red light, it turns green. Ship! So I hit tthe pedals and the median strip ends abruptly with a 6" or 1' drop - can't recall the exact height. So I decide to do a jump to get back on the road. Traffic wasn't moving anywhere, anyway. As I launch, I lift the handlebars slightly and it was a perfect landing with the rear wheel touching down first and the front one gently after it. As the front one lands, I push hard on the pedals to get away from any cars that may be inching forward from the traffic and back into the bus lane (cars are not allowed in it, and miraculously, there were no buses or taxis at the time). Problem was, this was no ordinary bike. It was below ordinary, as a cheapie racer from eBay. As I pushed hard down on the pedal, the chain jumper off the rear sprocket and wedged telsef between two of them and was going nowehere. Of course, inertia kicked in as the pedal abruptly stopped its downward power stroke, and your truly kept going forward, in a most unaerodynamic way and I can't say my own landing was quite as graceful as I commanded the bike's up until that point. The small red circle I drew is about where it happened. As it transpires, in the friction fight between bitumen and skin, the bitumen won, and I had grazing all up and down one side. As I picked myself up in a hurry, bitching and complaining at tghe cheap ship from China, a young (and attractive) lady ran from the pavement to check if i was alight. "Yes, I am, thanks!" I retorted in a gruff voice, laden with a cocktail of angy and embarresed emotions, topped of with a decent serve of adrenalin (If I ever see her again, I will remember to apologise for my curtness). I kicked the chain onto its sprokcet and took off as fast as I could, still not feeling any pain. I have to say, adrenalin is a wonderful thing. I felt no pains and rode the stretch from the small circle to the elongated ellipse, probably as fast as I had ever ridden a pushie. I crossed Hammersmith Bridge and as I truned right onto Lonsdale road, the adrenalin started to recede - I had used up all my supply, I guess. The throbbing started, and it is a slight uphill, and I had a headwind. I am guessing it is nearly two miles. Each stroke felt like pushing against a hydraulic ram going the other way, and the throbs of pain amplified like rising tidal waves (it wasn't really that bad). When I got home and knocked on the door (the doorbell wasn't working), Mrs Atrick sternly asked where the hell I was to be so late (and i was about 5 or so mins longer than normal). I motioned her eyes to the red side of me... "I don't bloody care! I have two screaming kids that are driving me nuts. Id' swap for that any day of the week". Poor lady was at the end of her tether of a particulary tough day with the little-uns.

Same, and I don't doubt that there are those that are psychopaths/sociopaths that can't change - but does this apply to the majority of them? If so, let's gather them up and house them in Christmas Island or somewhere? They are surely a bigger threat to Australia than boat people.

Interesting vid on it: Katter should have his name changed to nutter; he is clearly very passionate! However, I do agree with one sound bite he made, and it should go for any immigrant (or natural born person to a country), anywhere.. if one has sentiments against the country you call home, one should p155 off to the country where your sentiments are aligned. By the way, Katter's gesticulations were more intimidation - but probably not to a criminal level. In terms of an assault (in this case, apprehensive of the application of unlawful force), I would contend his actions did not amount to that. His words made it clear he was refraining, and his point to an underarm clenghed fist, even at the time of when his fist became clenched, the fact it was at the same close location with no drawback, and that the converasation was alleging the journo to be racist, but not asking for a retraction, etc. would make it hard to meet the level of crominal responsibility. Having said that, there could be a prim facie case to answer, so as it would be a midemeanour, it probably should go to the magistrates, if nothing more than to say to ollies and officials.. unlike the USA, we will come after you.

Is it being closer to the equator? Is Darwin or Broome particularly red-necked? I agree whole-heartedly with this. Law enforcement generally will throw the book at an assailant against a government or law envorcement official; conversly, they should be held accountable to a correspondingly higher standard when they breach similar laws.

"Two Jags" John Prescott, at the time the Labour deputy PM, threw a punch at a member of the public who threw an egg on him. I can't recall if he connected, but if he did, it was only a glancing blow. He was, as I recall initially arrested later on th suspcicion of assault (so I assume he didn't connect), ut I don't think he was charged or charges were dropped, presumably based on provocation. IMHO, it should have gone to the magistrates court to be tested. When one joins politics, one knows one is luckly if only half the population will automatically hate you. One has to expect to be grilled on things and the hallmark of a politician (or anyone) is to remain calm in tenuous siituations - and to be able to quickly asses and make clear and correct decisions. Emotional knee-jerk reactions aren't the hallmark of diplomacy and puersuasion we want from our pollies. Prescott was defended and protected by the Labour Party henchmen. I think he was re-elected, probably on the basis of his actions, such is his constituency, but it was a terrible look and weakened him politically.

I am going to come across as all wokey pokey, butr clearly, he is deranged, as are probably most soverign citizens. What intrigues me is why they are like that? Our society allows a large degree of individualism and freedom of expression in so many different ways; it allows dissent, but like all social entities and societies, there are a set of laws/rules that society is governed by to balance individual rights and freedoms against others as a whole. When we compare ourselves to other countries such as China, Russia, some Eastern Eurpean countries, many Asian countries, African countries, etc., we have a lot of freedoms - we can openly and savagely criticise the government; we can practice whatever religion or ideology we like, we can participate more or less in captialistic through to communist agendas with impunity. So, why do these sovereign citizens feel their rights and existence is threatened? Why do they (and others, such as MAGA Maniacs) latch onto conspiracy theories without any evidence whatsoever (and, as it turns out, those they support are more likely to establish some of those conspiracy theories, such as the deep state - just look sat Chump's actions). Have they been harassed, bullied at school? Is it hard wired into their brain (and we are learning that nuero-plasticity means nothing is hard wired and anything can be changed about us, if we are willing, assuming no physical brain damage? Are they suffering drug/alcohol abuse or foetal alcohol.drug syndrome? Or, do they see something us lemings don't? Are they society's forgottens that are helpless and alone - those we should take care of as a society but have become too individualistic and too materialistic to care? For example, the government is now winding back NDIS, which may push many people the way of these people, rather than attackt he root causes of the issues - the rorts, potential convenience diagnosis, etc., which means those in genuine need can live a somewhat normal life - which is selfish of me because I don't want to have to people who become desperate beggars or criminals. There was a time where there was nary a beggar or vagrant on the streets of our cities.. now look at them? Why can't we properly tax multinationals rather than give them corporate welfare so their investors can continue to rake in the cash as rent takers - and use that money for the betterment of all society - better transport infrastructure, targeted investment to stimulate innovation and growth, better safety net, better education, health services, and the like. Norway does it, and while Australia has a much larger GDP, Norway's GDP per captia is 30% more.. so taxing your resources properly; taxing multinationals properly seems to be an economic benefit - and those companies do not leave because they are still making money. For example, Starbucks in the UK started in 1998 and never showed a profit until 2015. Of course, that was on paper - there is no way Starbucks would operate at a loss that long - they only took two years to exit Australia the first time where they were really making a loss. Instead, they had to start showing a semblance of profit after it came to light they were abising transfer pricing, and HMRC knew about it. Eventually, in 2016, HMRC (our ATO) agreed to a lower tax rate (how they could do this when the rates without discretion are defined in law - another controversy) after which they miraculously started showing small profits. What has this to do with a few nutters? Well, the more we don't look after our people, that is, spend the resources to assist, manage, etc,. the more that are vulnerable to this sort of behaviour will turn to it. I could count the times I saw vagrants/beggars on the streets of Melbourne witht he fingers on my hand before I left for the UK aged 30.. and I worked and socialised preedominanlty in the city. Last time I was in Melbourne, quite frnly, it was a disgrace how many there were, and how can a society not look after them? Why are we always in debt as a society and not have those that benefit from our society and society's investment in education, infrastrcutire, etc contribute to our society, so we can better our society? The way Australia (and the UK, and France, and to a lesser extent Germany) is headed is very much the American way. It is gradual, so we don't notice it, but the frequency in which the solcial ills that brings is increasing. It's a hell of a problem to sort out, and the longer we leave it, the longer and more expensive it will become.. The US seems to have abated from being on the bring of civil war (or we are so desensitised that the news isn't even registering it), but there is still a volatile underbelly that could go ballistic. That will be a hell of a price to pay.

Sadly, it feels like we are becoming slightly more American every day.

Was on the phone; so didn't look it up - not even his name. knew he was murdered and figured either my recollection was wrong about when he was murdered or that was AI generated. Guess it was the latter.

Hogan's Heros lead actor

It is bloody dry and hot-ish in SW England at the moment. Grass is almost universally brown everywhere, was 31 degrees with not too much humidity, which is unusual for this nick of the woods. They are talking baout drought.. Was like being home.

Well, the daughter's time at EDF is coming to an end in a couple of weeks. She didn't realise it, but she has racked up about 2.5 weeks holiday leave (we get sometehng like 6 weeks standard, here, but there is no long service leave, but they allow sabbaticals after 5 years (November for me), and pay you up to three months of your basica salary - no pension, medical/health, bonus, additional holiday accruals). Anyway, we are on a long weekend this weekend, but daughter and one of her good mates are driving to Cornwall for the week from Monday arvo. Two 19 year old girls - nay - women (using girls here is common parlance), are going to have a week of fun and frolics. My daughter asked me if I was going to be sad or have any reservations about her going. I looked her in the eye and said I am really happy, a father will never stop worrying ever slo slightly about their adult children, but that she is miles more mature at her age than I was at that time (and probably now). Since she could crawl, she was always fiercly independent. I recall her dropping something when she was still crawling, and when I picked it up for her, she slapped my wrist and got a right strop with me. I put it down, and she picked it up, looked at whatever it was in her hand, and lifted her head to look at me, ans then smiled a very wide grin. Admittedly, the grit has waned slightly, but she is a determined daughter of a bastard. In two weeks she starts univesity. Her employer wants her back for the breaks; I am going to miss her at home, but the university is quite close (unlike Aus, kids often go to unoversities the other side of the country form where they live). But, I am so proud of her. I know we are all proud of our kids.. and rightly so. I just wanted to share it.

I have refreained from the conversation as I have to admit, I am struggling to see the correlation between survivasl of the fittest and conscription. And then reeferencing pre tale-off checks to, I presume survival of the fittest is odd, in my mind. You can be disabled and still perform the necessary checks. Have a Cirrus? It will do most for you. Hardly survival of the fittest. Maybe survival if the smartest? Or, have I missed something? There are many people in our society who survive and thrive and they aren't the fittesy - physically nor mentally. There are many people who have some form of autism and aren't exactly going to give Anrie a run for his money on the physical side, yet they are extremely successfully financially because they are extremely intelligment and can identify market signals a mile away and put in strategies that make them a lot of money, for example. Of course, money isn't eveything, but playing in that game, they are hard to beat. However, put them up at Puckapunyal, and they will probably suffer all sorts of problems.. they aren't terribly good at that game - except their extreme analytical brain may well have them next to officers on conbat strategies, or code breaking or some such thing. I get your grievance though, @Grumpy Old Nasho. You had two years of your life robbed, by the luck of the draw. It wasn't universal. Therefore, by the luck of the draw, others led an uninterrupted life. And It would appear your time as a Nasho was traumatic in some way. And, yeah, I agree, based on that, both Nasho and warzone vets should get some extra compenation/benefits over those that were able to continue living their life unchanged. And, by the way - thanks. Until you joined,I had not heard of the term, Nasho. My uncle was conscripted and is a Vietnam vet. I though everyone conscripted was sent there.

Warm muffins Don't ask why that thought came straight to me 🤣

Same.. but I am going to come across as wokey, but when we give people a second chance, is there some assessment as to why they are where they are at life and do we provide support for them to make sure there isn't a third or fourth or beyond chance? If they bust their second chance, is it into the clink - or is there a better way... There are defo low-life crims that come from all sorts of socio-economic backgrounds and nothing we do can change them.. anf from your description your neighbour was one of them - an a very entreprenuerial druggie. But what about the chronic drug affected person who is there because they suffered say sexual abuse as a kid (and I have seen some horrific stuff that has long term effects - a suicide of an Epstien victim that was paid out by the Queen, no less, should shed some light on the torment people go through)? Of course, it has to be balanced with the safety of law abiding people. You have suffered mental side effects, such as the anxiety with cars passing at night - people need to be able to live in a safe environment despite the challenges society throws up. You also could have ended up suffering a lot worse with armed retribution attacks, or if they were using it as a meth den, any risk of explosions, etc. Tough problems to resolve..

Wow. That is some story and a great example of working together to solve a problem. Uf a lot more people took that route, the world would be a better place! Is it public housing you're against, or the way it is administered? Only asking because 95% of tentants nto showing serious problems is not bad, but for those that do, there is little recourse. To me, it smacks of governments deflecting their obligations by giving the right power to the right enforcement (and remediation) organistations to accomodate the need for public housing and keep the public safe when things don't do wrong. For example, if it was a privately owned and tenanted house, would the police have been able to deal with the problem more effectively because of the pwoers they have under normal criminal law (notwithstanding the issues with that, too)? Why should public housing tenants be afforded more rights than a private tenant when it comes to things like conduct? Sounds like you can set yourself up as a docu-drama producer, director, and cameraman. 😉

It cuts both ways to be honest. I joined a major Aussie party whe I was 16 with a glint in my eye and determined to change the world for the better. I rose fairlyy quicly locally to president of the branch (no real big deal), but on the selection committe for the local MP candidate (bigger deal) and state confereence delegate for both young movement and normal movement. Like any organisation, there are going to be differences of opinion, and I quickly learned what I thought was the right thing was not necessarily what others throught was the right thing, even amongst people with very similar ideologies. What i then learned was that many times, those differences of opinions were often helped by serving vested interests arising from the most unlikely places, some not even to do with monetary gain. Still, "untained and pure in thought", I contnued a bit more, arguing (alledgedly on fact) why this should change or that should remain, etc. until one evening meal, which I will never forget, but broke the camel's back and I quit politics forever. It is now coming to 50 years ago (ouch) and I even remember some of the names. But I will never forget the laminated fake wood round tablles atop black metal frames on that red patterend carpet preferred by local Chinese restaurants at the time. I was chomping on a beef and black bean sauce dish, talkng to someone I looked up to and whom I thought we were almost ideologically joined at the hip. He was regaling his victoriy in achieving some outcome by virtually bringing a local organisation to its knees, and in achieving that outcome, straddled that organisation with immense debt and put its future in doubt. When I challenged him on the prucence of such a tactic, given that iof that organistion fails, the very people he fought to ensure a short term outcome for will long term lose, he conceded he was driven by, let's say, a personal relationship with someone, and a personal vedetta of another. I will never forget the perniciously serious but triumphant expression on his face as he told me this. I have written on these forums abut this before, but it was a stark lesson on life.. I should have moved to Burke or somewhere similar.

People seem to lap it up.. George Orwell 1984 style

Chinese scientists make lithium battery breakthrough, doubling energy density | The Independent https://share.google/2PZSRzB1lql4apLHq

The cowardly lion (al la Whizz of Oz)

The ones that will be in real bewilderment are those that have bot of the above.

Game set and match