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WHATS ON CENTRAL COAST BLOG
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THE RETURN OF THE BLOG:
When Whats On first began there was a blog. It fell by the wayside with the constant spammer and back link trogs that scour the net for such items.
Well the time has come the Web chick said, to bring it back.
Welcome, once again to the Whats On Blog.
Have your say, comment on topics, or send in thoughts of your own (printable ones only, this IS a G Rated site after all).
To avoid all the spammer's and bot things I have set it up to comment and/or submit via a normal, simple email. No confusing forms, subscription requests or whatever so even the novice with only email experience can have their say too.
I have also included a sample of some Blog's from way back when; what a trip down nostalgia lane that was. |
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FROM THE FARCICAL TO THE RIDICULOUS:
Figure this one out!
If I was reading this I would be thinking what a load of crock! But it is actually True!!!
I recently listened to a local business owner relaying the newest fine that could be imposed by our government on an already over governed small business.
Now unless you have been in a cave, on expedition, a trip to Mars or looking deep in the sand you have more than likely heard of the upcoming and very controversial and debatable Carbon Dioxide tax (yes dioxide - they don't like to pop in the 'dioxide' bit as it is indicative of a common element that we exhale and live with every day) and the horrific effects it will have on the cost of living. This will commence on 1 July 2012.
Energy bills are already skyrocketing, fuel is far from inexpensive and consequently the price for everything that uses energy to make and then be delivered by road, air or rail is also increasing.
OK so we can see that - simple logic!
So what happens when the new tax arrives?
Well we can probably take as gospel that the 'top 500 polluters' that will endure this tax are not going to suck it up and NOT pass on the expense their customers which creates the ripple effect on manufacturing, supply and transport to us, the consumers. While the big guns can afford to possibly absorb this tax the small business operator certainly cannot.
OK so again we can see that - simple logic!
While we know these simple, albeit distasteful facts ask any business why their prices are increasing after (or near to the inception) the tax and see what they say.
The government has put aside a few million of our hard earned dollars to set up a watch dog department in the ACCC to keep in check ANY business who dares to verbalize, the obvious fact, their prices have increased DUE TO THE NEW TAX!!!
Unbelievable - I know! But it gets better (or more ridiculous depending on how your sense of humour is right now).
The Prime Minister and Treasurer want to ensure that businesses do not use the carbon tax as an excuse to increase prices to their consumers.
Now fair enough to police the greedy ones who will dump an excessive increase onto our budget lists but the small business owner is almost being placed on notice of a 'gag order' if they dare say their prices are increasing due to this tax.
Some new terminology in connection with the policing of this will be; Severity assessment, blatancy of claim, substantiation notice, name and shame public warnings and so on.
The maximum infringement for one breach is $66,000 with up to $1.1 million and director or manager disqualification for more 'blatant' breaches.
We are all encouraged NOT to lie and especially to a Federal agency so how will you confidently say and prove that your prices have risen because supplies from business 'A' that have become more expensive because his supplier, business 'B' has had to put his prices up and so on up the chain when NONE of them are really allowed to say (unless you are the first in the chain that has a note from one of those 'top 500 polluters' that this is the reason...
I would let out a very exasperated sigh but that would be an expulsion of CO2 - are we still allowed to do that without being taxed? I best look that up...
In the words of a famous Aussie polly would somebody "please explain"?
POSTED;
14.01.2012 @ 0955 hours by Debbi
Have Your Say - You can remain an anonymous poster.
Comment on this blog via the WHATS ON CENTRAL COAST CONTACT US PAGE or send email to contact@whatsoncentralcoast.com.au with CO2 in the subject line.
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THE WOCC 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS:
Don't blame me - I am just the messenger...
I would be telling tallies if I said doing the website was always easy. There are more than 800 gigs and events already in the databases for December; a constant stream of emails, a job, family, friends, a very demanding cat and Christmas Shopping all needing attention.
I do this as I am very passionate not only about my home town but the wonderful entertainment and entertainers, world class scenery, fantastic food outlets, accommodation and helping people.
I’m a helper, carer type of soul – it’s in my DNA I’m sure but I am also human. I wanted to let my visitors and others realise that behind the scenes on ANY website you visit there is usually traces of humanity of someone spending time uploading and doing techie bits to allow you see what you see.
I always hope to keep the humanity in Whats On – I have pictures and a modest blurb on who I am so my visitors feel more at home. The most important ones are you – the verbal supporters, the visitors, the musos and venues the wonderful, (rare) paying advertisers, the ongoing ‘sponsors’ and the wonderful folk who take the time to say ‘Thank you’.
It has been a learning but very exciting almost 8 years and I wouldn’t change much at all.
Today while feeling a little overwhelmed, my muse gave me a slap (ouch – not so hard) and sent me this – a frivolous bit of verbal dribble for your enjoyment, disdain or indifference – I don’t know – they send it I forward it on…
Thanks everyone and may the best of your Christmas and New Year’s past be the worst of your futures..
WOCC’s 12 Days Of Christmas;
On the first day of Christmas I wished hard for 1 more hour in my day.
On the second day of Christmas I wished harder for,
2 extra set of hands, And 1 more hour in my day.
On the third day of Christmas I asked Santa for
3 faster keyboards, for the 2 extra hands and 1 more hour in my day.
On the fourth day of Christmas I asked a clairvoyant for, 4 proofs of Santa, 3 faster keyboards
for the 2 extra hands and 1 more hour in my day.
On the fifth day of Christmas I asked the chemist for, 5 sleeping pills, 4 proofs of Santa, 3 faster keyboards, for the 2 extra hands
and 1 more hour in my day.
On the sixth day of Christmas I asked the nurse for, 6 paper bags to rid the, 5 sleeping pills,
4 proofs of Santa, 3 faster keyboards, for the 2 extra hands, and 1 more hour in my day.
On the seventh day of Christmas I asked my muses for, 7 reasons why I’m writing this while I need
6 paper bags to rid the 5 sleeping pills, 4 proofs of Santa, 3 faster keyboards, for the 2 extra hands
and 1 more hour in my day.
On the eighth day of Christmas I asked myself for, 8 good reasons why I needed, 7 hints why I’m writing this while I need, 6 paper bags to rid the 5 sleeping pills, 4 proofs of Santa, 3 faster keyboards for the 2 extra hands and 1 more hour in my day.
On the ninth day of Christmas I allowed myself 9 whole minutes to forget the, 8 good reasons why I needed, 7 hints why I’m writing this while I need, 6 paper bags to rid the, 5 sleeping pills, 4 proofs of Santa, 3 faster keyboards , for the 2 extra hands, and 1 more hour in my day.
On the tenth day of Christmas from out of nowhere I received, 10 jobs calmly finished, 9 whole minutes to forget the 8 good reasons why I needed, 7 hints why I’m writing this while I need 6 paper bags to rid the 5 sleeping pills, 4 proofs of Santa, 3 faster keyboards for the 2 extra hands and 1 more hour in my day.
On the eleventh day of Christmas I thanked the cosmos for, 11 wonderful thank you’s, 10 jobs calmly finished, 9 whole minutes to forget the 8 good reasons why I needed 7 hints why I’m writing this while I need, 6 paper bags to rid the 5 sleeping pills, 4 proofs of Santa, 3 faster keyboards for the 2 extra hands and 1 more hour in my day.
On the twelfth day of Christmas I thanked my readers for 12 thousand reasons why I do this, 11 hundred thank you’s, 10 jobs calmly finished, 9 whole minutes to forget the 8 good reasons why I needed 7 hints why I’m writing this while I need 6 paper bags to rid the 5 sleeping pills, 4 proofs of Santa, 3 faster keyboards, for the 2 extra hands
and 1 more hour in my day. |
POSTED;
14.12.2011 @ 1155 hours by Debbi
Have Your Say -
Comment on this blog via the WHATS ON CENTRAL COAST CONTACT US PAGE or send email to contact@whatsoncentralcoast.com.au with 12 Days Of Christmas in the subject line. |
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AN AUSSIE CHRISTMAS TALE:
What we buy now will pave the way for our kids and their future...
I recently popped a little blurb on Facebook regarding getting a gift of a brilliant detailing job for a different Christmas Gift. The Car detailers - Coastal Car Detailing, are Aussie and even better - born and bred local!
Further to that I also had a recent conversation with an interesting and ‘very well versed in the events of the world’ Sign writer regarding the incredible loss of Aussie employment, trade and small businesses due to the incredibly cheap goods and services spewing out of the big red financial dragon that China has become.
With so many businesses closing down he raised the very valid point of what jobs will be available for our kids in another 10 – 15 years if it keeps up at this pace?; the answer is simple – NOT MANY!!!!
So it was with even more cosmic interest that I read an email sent me from the lovely Kerrie Garside (I am unsure whether she is the author - if so my apologies for the changes and shortening) that goes like this; And I have added some of my own too with links to local businesses that can cater for some of these ideas!
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition:
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Australians with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods - merchandise that has been produced at the expense of Australian labour.
This year will be different. This year Australians will give the gift of genuine concern for other Australians.
There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by Australian hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people;
Here are just SOME of the suggestions for a unique Aussie gift and plenty of these are covered by local businesses…
• Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?
• Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, locally owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate!
• Does someone you love, or like enough to give a gift to, have a pet? This is a brilliant idea - SHOOT YA POOCH pet photography. On site or at another location. Check out some of the wonderful images on the website or email Jenny.
• Perhaps a grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, lawn mown, or games at the local golf course, Central Coast Mariners Tickets or membership (even Squash Centre's, Touch Footy, and Swimming Centre's).
• There are many owner-run restaurants, ask about a gift certificate- not the fancy eatery sort?, what about a breakfast/s? Give Macca’s the flick for a day and head down to your local Café for real food – they are all around the Coast!
•How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or bike, done by a local mechanic?
• Mum would probably LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
• My computer recently needed an upgrade – There are many Tech’s struggling to get his repair business up and running. Or even a website for a local friend or family member in Business – you could foot the hosting for a few months.
• OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts, like jewellery (even make your own!), pottery and beautiful wooden boxes, visit your local markets.
• Plan your holiday time at local, owner operated restaurants, theme parks, Cinemas, going out to see a play or ballet at your local live theatre.
• Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands. Buy an original CD from a local muso – if your intended enjoys shows like the X factor etc. – you will LOVE our local musos – many of them are so more talented than the winners of these reality TV shows; or how about a session at a local recording studio, a new or repair to an instrument? You can even help develop someone's artistic gift by some local tuition!
• Is someone you know into Art? - there are many galleries around the Coast boasting some of the finest art this land has to offer!
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining Australian pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging Australian small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Australians, we care about our communities and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new Australian and CENTRAL COAST Christmas tradition.
POSTED;
27.11.2011 @ 1300 by Debbi
Have Your Say -
Comment on this blog via the WHATS ON CENTRAL COAST CONTACT US PAGE or send email to contact@whatsoncentralcoast.com.au with A Christmas Tale in the subject line. |
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FAMILIARITY BREEDS... SALES?:
Are we all McPavlov's Dogs?
I was leaving a local shopping centre recently and the traffic entering the centre's car park was bumper to bumper almost back to the main road - no one was injured it was just too many people sitting in a line up to get to the waiting lane where you again sat in your car and lined up to wait to get to eat fast food - real quick. I felt for the poor folks who needed to get to the shops - they had buckley's! If the line uppers had gone in and parked, WALKED to the store, ordered and left they surely would have been served quicker.
So what is the thought patterns of customers to these outlets? Is it because the car is inching forward in the line that the mind feels they are still getting something 'fast'? Why do we feel that buying food from a moving car is fast in times like this?
Dr Karl has some eye opening information for you...
My kids probably really resented me not falling for the Maccas advertising and getting them hooked when they were kids - there was one day only each year they had the misfortune to eat this mass produced crap with me and that was the day Maccas gave to a charity - I got to the point where the old body rejected and protested whatever it was I was eating and so I just donated the equal dollar amount without purchasing the 'burger'.
As the years went on of course they were able to make their own decisions and while I know they aren't hooked in by the advertising, 'fast food' is a part of their busy lives. I have even been to a store or two with them and inevitably and amazingly there is always SOMETHING that goes wrong - wrong order, cold food, no syrup in the drink, wrong coffee etc.
The Chicken chain of fast food changing to using acronyms of their original names was hilarious - as if not saying the word FRIED in the name would make potential targets believe it wasn't? Come on!
So it was with great interest that I read a recent chat by Australia's favourite Science guru Dr Karl on the topic of fast food companies and neuroscience - yes they WILL go to great lengths to keep you coming back and making their profits soar.
My babbling to my kids all those years ago regarding the over the top advertising DID have some credence.
A couple of the TRICKS that Dr Karl says are used are;...
"They used both the fact that sugar can be addictive as well as the fact that repeated exposure can overcome your natural impulse control.
I also talked about how they never keep you waiting. After all, to set up an addiction you want the time between the stimulus and the reward (or the time between walking into the shop and scoffing the food) as short as possible."
The other piece of information from Dr Karl really grabbed my attention;...
"The sixth trick from the land of neuroscience goes all the way back to the Nobel Prize-winning Russian scientist, Ivan Pavlov, and his slobbering dogs.
Just before he fed his dogs, he rang a little bell. After some time of doing this, he rang the little bell, but didn't offer them food.
But, once conditioned to the prospect of dinner time, his dogs still slobbered and salivated mightily. They had been conditioned to link salivation, food and the little bell.
In the same way, the fast-food chains successfully condition you. They go out of their way to give you the exact same experience every time.
The inside of the shop is the same, the menu is the same, and employees in the same uniform recite the same scripted greeting to you.
The last time this experience happened, you bought some fast food. So this time, you'll probably buy some fast food again."
Many of us have forgotten what the original hamburger (you know bun, chicken, fish or meat, salad etc) tastes like and many younger kids wouldn't know what they were if it wasn't from Maccas.
I think back now to those days of being 'anal' and realise I have probably allowed my kids a few extra years of health and free choice. The rise of childhood disease and obesity is staggeringly mortifying to me and yet, anywhere in the world at any given time there is always a mum or dad at maccas giving in to the demands of a conditioned little mind and craving body
to manipulative advertising, addictive ingredients and slowly but surely poisoning that little bod with unhealthy ingredients. I am not saying that every sick child is so because of this food but it is a big contributor to obesity and illness on top of the already government sanctioned poisoning of our bodies with chemicals in our cosmetics and toothpastes, medications, pesticides etc. What hope do our kids have?
If the addition of 'healthy' alternatives was from the genuine care for it's customers and not a lure just to get hesitant parents in the door I would probably be more sympathetic to these fast food chains. But a con is a con and I'm not too thrilled with con artists either.
Perhaps tough love is the way to go and we ought to all re-learn the simple word of NO.
My kids still love me, they aren't suffering any neurosis related to not being allowed to eat it and they don't feel they missed out on anything drastic by not eating this stuff regularly - they are here, are very much aware of the art of manipulation and relatively healthy.
I'm Lovin' it!
Also on this topic from Dr Karl is Fast food addiction an inconvenient truth
POSTED;
11.09.2011 @ 0930 by Debbi
Have Your Say -
Comment on this blog via the WHATS ON CENTRAL COAST CONTACT US PAGE or send email to contact@whatsoncentralcoast.com.au with FAMILIARITY BREEDS SALES in the subject line. |
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DON'T BET ON IT:
A few years ago Tim Freedman/The Whitlams penned the song "Blow Up The Pokies” and most musicians, punters and families of gambling addicts totally agreed.
Gambling has been a bane of many lives for many years so it is odd that all these years on and many families losing homes and each other, that I can safely say, it would be quicker for me to name things you CANNOT bet on (if anything these days) than what you can.
While I haven't had a change of heart I am utterly bewildered at the Government's new focus on our local Clubs having to bankroll a new idea to regulate people playing the pokies in our local clubs.
Now most of us possibly think, well that’s great, as did I, but think about it - why the Clubs?
Do a Google search on online gambling - I did a Google AU search and had a result of 24,500,000. That’s 24 MILLION, 500 thousand results where you can gamble to your hearts content online.
This is not to mention popping into your local Newsagency in any shopping centre and gambling on Lotto, Oz Lotto, Lottery, Powerball etc - all run BY THE GOVERNMENT, then there's the racetracks, Keno, Texas Holdem poker, which is fast becoming the New entertainment instead of music. There are sports betting, footy, and even betting on interest rates... the list is immeasurable but the local clubs must pay a small fortune to regulate the small percentage of gamblers who utilise the poker machine at an 'unhealthy' rate - do they think we are all stupid?
Are they going to stop selling their lottery tickets or close down Casinos, Sports betting or any of the online gambling sites? Of course not. Do they REALLY have a genuine concern for gambling? If they did would they not also be targeting MILIIONS of other avenues - it would appear not.
While we may not like the pokies they do provide a major income for our local clubs. These funds go to the club, it's members, the local community, sub clubs etc - they GIVE BACK an amount to the locals - where do the Government and privately funded gambling business funds go? - not to the local War vets or kids school that’s for sure.
Are we prepared to let our local clubs shut down on a whim of one Polly who has a thorn in an uncomfortable place on his anatomy - I sure as hell am not.
If it's good enough for the clubs then put your morals where your new regulations are. This is too obvious a soap box revenge attack on all communities than a genuine care for gambling addiction.
If we play our cards right we may have a club that still can't afford a decent big band each week but a club at least to escape to.
POSTED;
13.08.2011 @ 1530 by Debbi
Have Your Say -
Comment on this blog via the WHATS ON CENTRAL COAST CONTACT US PAGE or send email to contact@whatsoncentralcoast.com.au with DON'T BET ON IT in the subject line.
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COPY THIS!!!!:
Whether we agreed with the case and outcome or not, the Larrikin win in court against EMI and Men At Work placed the COPYRIGHT issue fair in the middle of a huge big spotlight.
Now either many folks missed the whole event, choose to ignore it or simply do not understand it all, but COPYING someone else’s material from the internet is the same and can have the same consequences.
For the education, awareness and perhaps the protection of your own original material I would love to share a link to an invaluable piece from the COPYRIGHT AGENCY LIMITED. (do NOT copy the story from their website without their permission please)
Since doing WHATS ON I have battled 2 newspapers whose staff not only copied the images from the Whats On website but took the time and effort to REMOVE the copyright assignment FROM THE IMAGES. Yes - they surely would have known better - management did for sure and eventually, whether it was conscience or fear of the major retribution they can face in the legal arena, they eventually stopped.
The ignorance card, in my book, can only be used by some, for so long and definitely NOT by someone in the same game who ought to, no MUST know better.
I cannot imagine opening a bakery for example and not knowing what flour is and what to do with it.
If you want to design or run a website, post on Social media sites etc - LEARN THIS STUFF!
I have had and am currently dealing with other incidences of copyright and naming infringements by some who I hope were totally unaware of what the rules, nay LAWS are (not that it is an excuse) and another who shockingly actually gets paid to design other peoples websites.
Making a few changes to material copied doesn't make it OK either. You are infringing the rights of the Copyright holder if you reproduce, however small, (think the Kookaburra song here), any part that is obviously an integral part of the original writers work.
Think before you click!
Feel free to copy THIS BLOG ARTICLE (with accreditation); it is something I would actually appreciate being copied for a change.
POSTED;
27.07.2011 @ 1830 by Debbi
Have Your Say -
Comment on this blog via the WHATS ON CENTRAL COAST CONTACT US PAGE or send email to contact@whatsoncentralcoast.com.au with COPY THIS!!!! in the subject line. |
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FLYING HIGH - JUST AS LUDICROUS BUT REAL!:
The House of Representatives website recently posted notification for the Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications to conduct an inquiry into the ratio of cabin crew members on DOMESTIC FLIGHTS.
While I realise air travel can be fraught with risk I was instantly asking myself how this issue ranks in importance to our NSW nurse/patient and, from my own experience, aged Care facility nurse/patient ratios.
After 16 years of casual then full time care for my mum the thought of her needing more care than I could safely and confidently give her terrified us both.
Horror stories are rampant on pseudo current affair shows and news items regarding the disgusting state of our aged care facilities.
While we were indeed very fortunate to have Mum relocated to the Killarney Vale nursing home where she was shown much respect and love, others have not been so lucky.
Growing old will affect us all. Long standing politicians will have accrued so many perks in their terms they may/will be able to afford in home private care but the majority of us and our families possibly will not.
The elderly are our history. They are our parents and grandparents who have survived wars, depressions, the loss of loved ones who gave their lives for us and so much more that we may not have had the time to listen to. They deserve at the very least a little respect.
So how can an inquiry into the amount of staff to cater to your needs on DOMESTIC flights possibly be deemed more important than the ratio of nurses and aged carers to our sick, dying and elderly? Who Knows! It makes no sense to me at all.
A newsletter sent me from the CPSA headlined... "Nursing homes should join the mile high club" definitely caught my attention.
They went on to say...
* “CPSA calls for an inquiry into the lack of staff to resident ratios in nursing homes, which are home to some 170,000 older people”.
* The Productivity Commission gave scant regard to ratios in its draft report on aged care.
* “Surely if ratios are good enough for the sky, they’re good enough for nursing homes.”
I agree!
The committees report is due in June 2011 and I for one will be sending in an email to ask why our sick and elderly are not shown the same regard.
If you or someone you know is expected to age and will not be able to afford high end, expensive private care perhaps you could also give this issue a little thought and contact your local member, The CPSA or the House of Reps direct and voice your opinion too.
POSTED;
20.05.2011 @ 1000 by Debbi
Have Your Say -
Comment on this blog via the WHATS ON CENTRAL COAST CONTACT US PAGE or send email to contact@whatsoncentralcoast.com.au with FLYING HIGH in the subject line. |
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IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY:
(Coined by Charles Caleb Colton in 1820), ironically, is usually quoted when one talks of someone or something that tries really hard to be just like someone or something else.
I humorously threw this line around myself a little while ago when I was contacted by a few Whats On Central Coast fans, family, friends regarding a new Facebook Page - WhatsHOT Central Coast.
I had a look and I could definitely see what others saw - the similarity in the name, the 'About us' blurb and their publicly available email address of whatsoncc@... so any reasonably thinking person would be forgiven for thinking that it was somehow related to or a part of Whats On Central Coast and with the unwitting slur to my taste and reputation being outdone by their care and concern, they were.
I have contacted WhatsHot but have received no reply. I have attempted - openly - to do the 'Friend' thing and I have asked them to consider changing the name - again no reply.
Whats On SUPPORTS our local industry and has done so for many years at a significant financial, emotional, physical and time expense.
With the main focus being on live entertainment, the musos, their promotion and support, the venues and media who support the same, I wholeheartedly welcome anyone who is willing to support our local industry with a warm welcome, a pat on the back for doing so and assistance wherever possible.
This appears to be a page dedicated to the DJ/Club scene and is a great idea; but - it's not live music, does not assist the live music industry, does NOT help our local musos and is not in my realm of expertise.
What does it have to do with me and the efforts of Whats On Central Coast? Nothing!
I can only presume that intimating it is related to Whats On would add some cred to this single Face Book page.
Whats On Central Coast which has a huge fan base, longevity, an established and well respected name on the Coast and within the industry, hundreds of positive testimonials and a solid reputation, obviously is worth imitating.
The issue has been resolved and the page creators have graciously changed the offending items. I wish them much luck and congratulations for the promotion of this wonderful Central Coast.
If this shoe was on your foot - what would YOU do?
Have Your Say -
Comment on this blog via the WHATS ON CENTRAL COAST CONTACT US PAGE or send email to contact@whatsoncentralcoast.com.au with Imitation in the subject line.
POSTED;
09/04/2011 @ 1700
The most recent contact to the creators has prompted a response, a sincere apology and some important changes.
They have graciously changed the spelling of the name, no longer list the 'whats on' email address and changed other information.
That is all appreciated and I wish them well.
Promoting anything on the Central Coast is always a great thing and after all there is so much to promote!!
Ed |
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HAVE THINGS CHANGED THAT MUCH?:
The age old question of 'WHAT IS ATTRACTIVE" between the sexes is alive and kicking!
Dave writes...
Can anyone explain to me how guys think that walking around in boardies with 3 inches of their crack showing is attractive?
Teenage boys may have an excuse - they are just inexperienced!!! and we are used to that; but my visual cortex took a beating today when I had the misfortune to see an older bloke doing it - and I AM a bloke!
Surely the girls must find it repugnant?
Are the times and visual senses of our species changing by spiralling downwards? I surely hope not.
If anyone is willing to have a crack (pardon the pun) at giving Dave some answers or tips please send in a reply via the CONTACT US PAGE.
POSTED;
03.04.2011 @ 0800 by Dave |
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LITTLE HOUSE OF BIG HORRORS:
Have you ever heard the news or read an article and had to read it again as you were so certain that it was too absurd to be real that you must have heard or read it wrong?
This was my reaction to the most recent application approval dished out by, what can only be an ostrich or a member of Parliament House who has been in a cave for the past year to BP; the corporation responsible for the loss of 11 lives from the Deepwater Horizon and the almost obliteration of the Gulf of Mexico, its wildlife and the livelihood and health of many residents in the region.
I shudder when I hear corporate names like Exxon and BP. The horrific and irreparable damage they have caused and in BP's case through sheer greed and incompetence, is a smear on all our lives that our grandchildren's children will possibly still be dealing with in decades to come.
My initial fear was they perhaps were granted a hand in the PEP 11 off the Central Coast which would have been terrifying enough but to find these political leaders of ours have granted these grubs open slather with 4 permits to drill in the Great Australian Bight, over one marine park and areas under assessment for more, is beyond belief!
Not only the position but, as in the story below, the depth!
The Gulf of Mexico's continual oil spew out was due to them being unable to cap the blowout as it was at a depth of around 1.5 kilometres. One of these permits is for 4 kilometres deep! And we are NOT talking lake like seas here - these waters can be treacherous!
These quotes are from the Australian Governments own website on the Environment and the Great Australian Bight Marine Park;
* "The waters are treacherous and the region experiences some of the world's highest and most persistent waves"
* "The Great Australian Bight region is an area of great conservation significance"
* "The marine park is in relatively pristine condition due to the low levels of human utilisation, which arises from its isolation and difficult coastal access. Such sites can provide important reference areas for scientific studies and long-term environmental monitoring"
The minister says we need the money and perhaps we do. But to risk our Ocean, our coast, our people and planet for it?... He also assures us the Government will have 'Strict guidelines' in place. What? He thinks the all powerful USA didn't have strict guidelines too?
More insulting is the use of the wording 'to prevent a similar accident' ACCIDENT! That is when you spill coffee on a cranky grandmothers best white linen tablecloth. Chernobyl and the Exxon Valdez were also accidents were they not?
But BP hasn't stopped there - they also have a contract, nay, alliance to set up exploratory offshore oil drilling operations in the Arctic with a company called Rosneft (Russian state owned) for oil deposits in the Kara Sea, north of Siberia.
These are also, as you can imagine, home to some of the most perilous weather conditions on the planet! It is an extremely remote location and the environmental and overall hazards are plentiful
BP’s new CEO, Robert Dudley "simply wants breathing room to prove that BP is capable of recovering without help. He’s likely to get it: Any would-be buyer now has two companies to tangle with, one of them closely tied to the Russian state" reports Edward Tan from the Wall Street Journals 'The Source'.
Edward goes on to say "It was also convenient that Rosneft had a billion treasury shares on hand, acquired through its absorption of Yukos Oil Company. These shares were swapped with BP as part of the deal"
It is felt that BP (trading 25% below levels now) is trying to fend off merger/acquisition scenarios in its very vulnerable state.
Edward Tan says"A BP spokesman denied that the swap with Rosneft was motivated by a desire to repel suitors".
It has been less than a year since BP's gulf 'accident' in which they have been named responsible for the tragic loss of 11 lives and the worst oil spill in America's history.
If they have developed some new miracle device guaranteed to prevent blowouts at depth and failing that a way to ensure not a drop of oil is spilled while they explore, then why don't they just sell the patent for it to boost their share prices and fill their endless pockets with the cash and a much clearer conscience?
Granting BP these permits and contracts, to me, is like trusting Jack the Ripper on crack to remove a splinter with a very, very big chain saw.
POSTED;
20.01.2011 @ 0800 by Debbi
Paul Cleary From The Australian, January 29, 2011 12:00AM reports;..
BP was the only oil company willing to take the risk and bid for exploration blocks in the challenging waters of the Great Australian Bight, Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has revealed.
"The Montara report finds that the regulatory regime is effective and unambiguously attributes the cause of the blowout to the failure of the company and the failure of the regulator to properly adhere to the regime's requirements," he (Mr Ferguson) said.
The award of four exploration permits to BP has sparked furious debate. There has been surprise that Australia could hand these rights to BP just months after its massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
But Mr Ferguson's decision to make the award indicates that he thinks the potential rewards are worth the risk.
HOW TOUGH IS MR FERGUSON?
When face to face with another human most of us can stand toe to toe but what if that other human is shadowed by a multi billion dollar international corporation that can possibly have some effects on the resource expolitation of country who employs you.
Mr. Ferguson, how strong is your will to stand up and ensure BP at least sticks to or goes beyond the expectations of the "further regulatory and environmental approval, including under the EPBC Act"?
How did all these regulations help with the 2009 Montara oil spill?
The ensuing BOTHWICK REPORT on the Montara Spill cites comments such as...
• That the 'widespread and systemic' shortcomings in PTTEP AA's procedures were a direct cause of the loss of well control.
• Well control practices approved by the regulator would have been sufficient to prevent the loss of well control however PTTEP AA did not adhere to these practices or its own well construction standards.
• That the Northern Territory Department of Resources was not a diligent regulator and its minimalist approach to its regulatory responsibilities gave it little chance of discovering these poor practices.
POSTED;
21.02.2011 @ 0800 by Debbi
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PUT UP A PARKIN' LOT:
WOW! A media release received from Gosford Council recently had me thinking "Where did those days go? What Happened"
Back in the early eighties my then employers
in the Imperial Centre's record bar were to open a brilliant new store in the new jewel in Gosford known as MARKETOWN. With street parades and entertainment for the grand opening it really was a gala event!
Marketown Records! We were the new hub for music on the Central Coast - between us we had many years in music sales and experience and were the best place to go to find 'that tune I heard on the radio - I can't remember the name' or with our Record company gurus, that hard to find release.
The Centre was bright shiny and new and packed on most days. I eventually had to leave to be a full time mum and was horrified when Central Coast Fair (now called Erina fair) opened and my beloved musical beginnings were fading into a nightmarish ghost town.
The media release saying that the shopping Centre was to become a car park was a tad sad and nostalgic for me and I am guessing many other locals who enjoyed, what was then, the state of the art centre and facilities.
While a shopping centre is in no way a paradise when you are young and building a brilliant network of professional industry peers and life long friends through the same it did bring to mind that song - "I can't remember the name but it goes..."
POSTED;
17.01.2011 @ 1230 by Debbi
Town Centre car park reopens;
600 car parking spaces will become available within the Gosford City Centre on Monday 28 February 2011, when Town Centre car park opens its doors to the Gosford City community.
Since finalising purchase of the Centre on 31 January 2011, Gosford City Council has undertaken the required works to provide 400 car parking spaces for Gosford commuters, along with approximately 200 parking spaces for visitors to the City Centre."
POSTED;
26.02.2011 @ 1230 by Debbi
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READ ALL ABOUT IT!:
What is life in the fast lane, literally, like?
Unless you have been to a V8 or F1 race it is hard to comprehend the speed the athletes behind the wheel are pushing.
We see it on TV and the cars are 'just going past' the camera - at the track they are coming down and then blink - they are gone!
What prompts someone to take up this dangerous, thrilling sport? What is inside the mind of these drivers? Who are they really?
I can't answer for all of them but I know Mark quite well, since he was a baby.
Our families have this thing for motors! Whether it be large, fast, small
whatever the toys for the boys have always been motorised.
You can find out so much more about Mark with the release of his new book "Life in the Fast Lane" by Mark and Andrew Clarke from any great bookstore.
For Coasties we can see more into the life of this most gracious and generous man and his family and for the rev heads - well - put the book on your Christmas wish list - it is a gift worth giving or receiving!
POSTED;
27.11.2010 @ 1230 by Debbi
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 P'd OFF:
I found myself yet again sitting in a slower than usual line of traffic. The reason, as it often is, the speeding P Plater in front of me.
Now you may ask how a SPEEDING P Plater can slow traffic down. It is quite simple really.
Unless you are an equally inexperienced kindred spirit ready to risk all the other road users and drag one another you are more than likely to react the same as many of us and slow down to give the young Turk trying to park their bonnet in your boot the subtle yet oft ignored high sign to slow down and back off by slowing down yourself.
While it takes less IQ than that of a dead goldfish to realise more space equals more speed the young Turk either just wont get it or is hell bent on just annoying you.
So what is it? Are they just in a hurry - permanently? Are they just doing it as the ‘mortality’ ideal has not reached the starting line in their brain yet? Are they just oblivious to the dangers of reckless driving and don’t give a toss?
It could be any or all of these reasons.
It is with great joy I read of a local legend still on the battlefront with the powers that be “to change its current stance on Road Safety and help introduce ways to fund better driver education, safer roads and to get the next generation of drivers into safer cars from the get go”.
It is a rare day and driver that has not been annoyed by one of these newbies and in some cases the reactions they extract, while some may say justified are just as dangerous. While we would love to slap them sillier, they are someone’s child and a human being.
Maybe teaching them is the go, who knows but it is worth a try to save their young lives and prevent the many accidents that are caused by these actions to other road users.
Thanks for your efforts Mark – we will all be happier drivers if something can change.
Oh and congrats on a great win with Craig – what a buzz after all these years.
POSTED;
01.11.2010 @ 1130 by Debbi
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 AGENTS UNPLUGGED:
I was recently involved in an urgent campaign to make Musicians and Venues aware they were under attack from an ill-informed and sorely lacking governing body.
The removal of some industry licences, in an already shark infested industry, was an unbelievably drastic move. Incorporate this with the fact that some of the people this affected – Musicians and the Agents themselves WERE NOT EVEN NOTIFIED and a recipe for disaster were set into motion.
Despite the few submissions we were able to round up and other submissions (including the AHA) quite overwhelmingly saying NO the powers that be decided that it was time to remove the licensing system anyway.
This was last year and we have been searching and enquiring for many months to see what has been happening with this issue.
Imagine my absolute surprise, confusion and delight to discover recently a new website that is just what the doctor ordered.
I include the word confused as the decision and upgrade of the music industry still has not gone through Parliament BUT – this website had a list from Industrial Relations who it would appear have finally released a list of LICENSED agents!!! I know – confusing, but I can only presume this is to assist musos, venues and honest agents while we float in the black hole of indecision and inaction from the government.
While this is a great start I am hoping to see what improvements they can come up with to deal with the disreputable ones hiding behind some of those licenses
This website also has a list of FAQ’s, some brilliant information regarding Musicians and Venues rights to fair trade within the industry and so much more. I am looking forward to the forum too. Finally a platform to find out, discuss and discover how to deal with the disreputable people so keen to leech out a living from your blood, sweat and efforts.
Somebody really knows their eggs. I am presuming this is a new site as a few links are still inactive but the information online so far is enough to help out any muso or venue who feels they are being ripped off by a shonky agent.
The new site is AGENTS UNPLUGGED (so love the logo) and I am keen to see the completed site online ASAP.
If you have any issues or are just curious as to what rights you have in the music industry, I cannot strongly enough suggest you check it out. It can only add to your knowledge of your own business and it can also save you plenty of dollars and bucket loads of frustration.
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THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT :
It’s an odd feeling – you go to sleep and short of an invasion from Mars or a foreign country you expect that the world as it was before you set the alarm and dreamed many a dream, will be the same when you wake up to decipher those dreams.
During the day, if you are one of the lucky ones, you discover there has been a theft – you have been robbed. All your possessions are still where they ought to be but the list of freedoms that we have taken for granted (because many of our forbears have given their lives for them) has been chipped away without our knowledge and permission by the same people we give our trust (well our votes, well in some cases) to guard our constitution including our rights and freedoms. What happened? When did we lose the right to have a say?
The arts are a major part of our economy. The music industry (one of the largest industries in the country) or performing and visual arts have an occasion, participant and or admirer in almost every town in this beautiful country of ours.
The removal of some music industry licences (they also had lift mechanic and some Real Estate licences on the block too – I shuddered every time I stepped into an elevator) DIRECTLY effected two most important groups of people – Musicians and Musicians Agents.
Guess who weren’t notified of these changes? Yep – Musicians agents and musos. The results of this change would turn our musos to shark fodder. An invitation to open season for unlicensed Agents being able to charge as much commission as they see fit and an influx from out of state agents that have been free to do this for many years.
Despite the majority of the submissions being toward KEEPING the licensing scheme in place but with changes to make the shonk’s accountable; the decision was made to can the licencing. Mind you, those Agents (remember the ones whose living depends on this issue and were NOT notified) who do the right thing are still expected to pay another annual licence fee until the final outcome of this is resolved.
The recently publicised battle with the 'commercial photographic members' who now have to pay ridiculously high costs for permits (which could take up to 14 days) and the ‘midnight passed’ legislation is another example of the disdain shown the members of a community of passionate people who write, sing and photograph this beautiful nation and her iconic landmarks.
Spontaneity is a major part of photography; that perfect capture of that classic moment – how do you ‘plan’ being there when the sun hits the bridge or Uluru in a certain way – I mean if photographers could predict these events they would more than likely be all our best friends dishing out the winning lotto numbers each week.
If not for the songs and images of Australia penned and shot by some of our most famous and some not so well know Aussies, would Australia be as well depicted internationally as she is?
Rather than penalise these passionate people I suggest we thank them.
Oh - and if you like the odd sip of ale, vino or other be on guard.
With statistics now showing that alcohol is responsible for more, car accidents, violence, death, injuries, child and domestic abuse etc than the humble ‘self harming cigarette’ you may find yourself on an almost daily roller coaster ride of inane changes and almost leper like, borderline criminal treatment afforded smokers over the past few years by the powers that be.
They wouldn't dare - would they?
POSTED;
01.09.2010 @ 1130 by Debbi
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IT'S A GAS, GAS, GAS:
While we were all being media bashed by the pollies for the upcoming election, the world still turned and the events already in play continued.
We heard the, more open than the Simpson Desert, response from Ms Gillard regarding the offshore drilling proposal “no drilling permit has been issued” and her local representatives Deb O’Neill and Craig Thompson saying that drilling was not going to occur.
Are the multi million dollar players in this issue silly enough to commit to and pour millions of their own and stakeholders dollars into a non event? Not at all likely one would think.
I could find no information to the contrary that this event is well on the way to being a done deal...
* Advent Energy has entered into an agreement with Apache Energy and Diamond Offshore Drilling, who own the drilling rig Ocean Patriot, which has been contracted to drill the PEP11 (with joint venture partner Bounty Oil and Gas). The PEP 11 permit covers an area of 8,200 sq km from Sydney to Newcastle.
* An exact date for drilling is yet to be determined, although oft reported estimations say it to be within the third quarter of 2010, around September/October so far. The Ocean Patriot is currently in an operation that was planned for mid August. The approximate cost for the Ocean Patriot is around $380,000 to $420,000 per day.
* The estimated cost of the first well is $20 million.
* Advent Energy Executive Director, David Breeze has said "This project with be the first drilling rig to explore for natural gas off the coast of NSW, and represents a major step for the company and its shareholders".
*
The gas has been identified by oil and gas seeps and naturally occurring oil slicks along the coast from Long Reef to Catherine Hill Bay, especially in the Cape Three points, Terrigal area.
* Greens candidate for Paterson, Jan Davis is concerned that this will be the first step in the dangerous offshore exploration saga that ended so tragically in the Gulf of Mexico a little while ago but still is and possibly will for decades be affecting the marine and coastal environment.
“Both State and Federal Governments should have said no to this new venture. Communities will want answers, for instance, what is the scale of drilling ultimately envisaged?
How close will drilling platforms be to the shore?
Where would the gasification processing be done? How will the end product be transferred, by ship, by pipeline?
“History shows that in NSW an exploration licence is merely the first step in the full-blown mining operation. There has only been a rejection on one coal mine on environmental grounds, and that was one of the smallest Australian owned proposals.
“Once the multi-nationals are involved in exploration, governments of both Federal and State origins find it hard to say no. The argument that it is cleaner is spurious when it is coal that is being used first of all, but drilling into the ocean seabed so close to our coastline is not sustainable. We need an exploration exclusion zone around the coast,” Jan concluded.
* A supply base in Newcastle has already been established by Advent and contracts awarded so far include: Mud logging, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), Fishing and P&A, Liner Hanger, Cementation Products, Drilling Tools, Casing and Tubing Running, Rig positioning and Vessels and Helicopters.
All indicators say that this is going ahead lest someone upsets a very big, powerful and rich apple cart by saying NO.
So what will this mean for our most precious Central Coast home? With the horrific images of the Gulf/BP unusually deep sub sea rupture disaster (blamed on faulty BOP - Blow Out Preventors - and back up systems failure) still fresh we may be a little apprehensive.
In Australia, government approval must be obtained before a well can be drilled and then must conform to statutory conditions and are covered by industry Codes of Practice
Bounty Oil claims in a media release that “Any commercial scale gas discovery will have the potential to generate jobs, economic growth and investment in the Newcastle/Central Coast region as well as deliver a much needed new source of clean energy for the State of New South Wales.
Commercial development of a gas discovery would also have the potential to make a contribution to Australia meeting its Kyoto protocol objectives through the supply of gas for a new generation of low carbon emission gas fired power stations in New South Wales.”
* Bounty and Advent have said they will ensure that they fully comply with all environmental and regulatory requirements in connection with the proposed off-shore drilling program in PEP11.
* A Submission on Proposed Asset Energy Ltd PEP 11 Exploration Drilling Program (dated 22/07/2010) airs a few concerns…
- that the adverse impacts offshore mining can have on the environment will not only lead to environmental degradation but also to negative social and economical impacts on the Region as the natural beauty of the coastline is integrally linked with tourism and is one of the major factors for residents moving to or already living in the Shire.
- The lack of definitive information on the response measures to be employed during potential emergency situations such as a sub sea rupture. As demonstrated by recent international events, a rupture of this kind has the potential to cause widespread environmental, social and economic damage and as such response measures should be determined prior to any disruption of the seabed.
- Council’s main areas of concern include, but are not limited to.
: Lack of information on response to emergency situations, such as a sub sea rupture
: Release of hydrocarbons from either the sea bed or pipes into the marine and shoreline environment.
: Toxicology from disposal of 408.99m3 of cuttings into the marine environment.
: Water, air, noise and beach pollution.
: Impacts on rare and threatened species listed under Federal and State legislation, and/or identified locally.
: Acoustic affects of seismic testing.
: Disruption of whale migration due to seismic testing, drilling and presence of semi-permanent vessels and associated infrastructure.
: Changes in pelagic fish ecology and congregation due to the presence of semi-permanent vessels and associated infrastructure.
: Physical damage to the sea floor and important habitats.
: Visual impacts of surface infrastructure and activities.
: Exclusion of recreational vessels from exploration zones.
: Facilitation of noxious or invasive species invasion due to the presence of semi-permanent vessels and associated infrastructure.
Another idea regarding the opposition of offshore drilling is that the companies are then forced to drill further from the coastline with massive depth increases making it potentially dangerous should a deep sub sea rupture occur. They are apparently easier to contain and fix in shallower waters. This from the RESILIENT EARTH website.
“The sort of occurrence that we've seen on the Deepwater Horizon is clearly unprecedented,” BP spokesman David Nicholas told the Associated Press. “It's something that we have not experienced before ... a blowout at this depth.”
There is much more relative information regarding this out there. I am perched on a fence at this time. While I am not an environmental extremist, I do have concern for what state the earth will be in for my grandchildren’s children; But - The Central Coast depends in a large part on its tourism industry. To keep the visibility of an offshore rig to a minimum or negligible, the rig would have to be out further in deeper waters increasing the potential risks if there was a blowout or problem.
It sure is a thinker – What do you think?
POSTED;
22.08. 2010 @ 1750 by Debbi
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Mitch - I was at a meeting today Deb and we were told the drilling was never off the table, just delayed because of the rig's current job!
Debbi - I was going to give you a call and do an interview on the effects to the local fishos with the exclusion zone that would be in effect when it all began.
I was stunned when I heard Gillard's response and then the 2 local labor candidates saying that they had stopped it.
Mitch - Yep, all lies Deb...
POSTED;
23/08/2010 @ 0800
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UPDATES:
January 6 2011
The major find of much information instead of hydrocarbon indicators from the Seaclem-1 well was not enough to keep investors happy. Shares in one associated company plummeted more than 50% with the zero discoveries from this, the first ($20 million) well.
The Ocean Patriot will be handed over to its new operator around Friday 7th January 2011.
The well was on schedule and incident free.
The deep Fish and Baleen
prospects (off the CENTRAL COAST) have been estimated to have multi-trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Seismic data interpretation and discovery will continue.
Statements from Advent Energy reconfirm plans to drill a second well, which would require new government approval.
January 2 2011
Disappointing results for Advent Energy from its first exploratory drill although they are confident they will find gas off the Coast.
This in from ABC News...
Executive Director, David Breeze says while he's disappointed no gas has been found, information gained from the test is encouraging.
"At the target drilling depth we've identified a potential reservoir of 40-metres of sandstone with 30-percent porosity," he said.
"So we know that in the area now that we have potentially the right sort of reservoir."
Mr Breeze says further data gathered over the next few days will be beneficial for the second test well.
"We'll look at the results of what we've got we'll compare that with the seismic and then it's highly likely that we'll do a further set of seismic.
"It will take through until at least until the full period of the next year before we're able to actually get around to the next phase of drilling."
Despite initial concerns, the drilling has had little impact on commercial fishing operations but Newcastle trawler operator, Murray Ham says he will check the area to make sure the rig has not done any damage.
"We had our concerns as you can imagine but they did absolutely assure us that the bottom would be left in pristine condition," he said.
"Well we'll be going up to check as soon as they're gone, absolutely."
December 31 2010
The Baleen South Lead (one of their major targets) is located about 30 km south-southeast of Newcastle and 20 km offshore.
Periodic oil slick occurrences, especially in the Cape Three Points, Terrigal area support the belief that there is an active petroleum system present in the Sydney Basin.
Seaclem 1 is only the first well to be drilled.
December 30 2010
At 6am on Wednesday the 29th December 2010 the well was drilled to a depth of 581 metres and as yet the presence of hydrocarbons was not found.
David Breeze is confident the data obtained from this well will assist further explorative drilling in numerous deeper structural targets within the PEP 11 permit area.
"... an offshore well could be operated without issue to the local community on the Central Coast of NSW' says Mr Breeze.
December 16 2010
The Seaclem-1 well was spudded 2 days ahead of schedule on Tuesday 14th December 2010.
Operators are preparing to extend the size of the drilling hole for the important installation of the Blowout Preventors.
It is anticipated they will reach the primary objective target zone between the 25th and 26th of December 2010.
David Winning from Dow Jones has been quoted in the WALL STREET JOURNAL that this is "...the world's latest prospect for offshore natural gas".
He also goes on to say "Success could also encourage a rush of new drilling in the area after a recovery in energy prices has spurred small explorers to restart wildcat drilling, after two years of striving to conserve cash when the financial crisis shuttered credit markets."
December 13 2010
The Ocean Patriot has arrived and has been fixed with eight anchors and had ballasted down.
December 8 2010
The towing of the Diamond Offshore semi-submersible Drill Rig starts today, December 8 2010. It is estimated it will take 4 days for the rig to reach the desired destination.
December 9 2010
The initiation of drilling operations is anticipated between Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th December, 2010
The operational handover of Diamond Offshore's "Ocean Patriot" semi-submersible rig is reported to be taking place around the 10th of December after its current contract has expired
It is estimated that the rig will take approximately 6 days to travel and position to the very first exploration well site, New Seaclem 1, to drill offshore of the Coast of New South Wales in the PEP 11 licence area.
The first exploration well site, New Seaclem 1, will be positioned approximately 55 kilometers East of Newcastle in Commonwealth Waters in what they call the Great White and Marlin stratigraphic prospects.
Pre existing and existing exploration permits have effects on local fishing, diving and maritime activities with set exclusion zones. |
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THE POLITICAL 'POPULATION GROWTH' BALL:
There is nothing like being ripped from your safety cocoon of ‘normality’ to the influx of almost alien thought patterns and the 21st century of change.
We all dread to say ‘back in my day’ and heaven knows my Mum, understandably at over 80 years of age, said it often enough but my kids have pulled me up a few times of late doing the same thing. I have also heard it from long time local friends and residents and thoughts of moving are being bandied about quite regularly. Accept and move on or move out.
My kids are more accepting of these changes as they grew in to and up with many of them and I myself was witness to them during that time too. They only know the world that did and does surround them – not what it was like. They will only see the societal changes of their own and the next generations.
Peaceful; There seems to be so little folks feeling it these days – there is an air of tension surrounding any part of mother earth that has a large conglomeration of modern society.
If your kids were bullied you dealt with it, the police were allowed to stop hoons and vandals and god forbid you were stupid enough to treat them with disrespect. We could play under the hose and sleep with the windows and doors open in the hot weather, play outside, ride our bikes and have an outdoor life without fear of harm, it is as alien to the new generation as today is to mine.
Gone are the days when I could take my family to the doctor and see him in an acceptable wait time. Now it’s must call first and a two week wait. The local hospital – a two year wait for urgent surgery.
My grandmother and her friend’s baked cakes and lamingtons and held many fundraisers over a few years to raise funds to get Gosford hospital built.
When you consider the taking and destruction of homes, full of family memories, the trees – much needed for our NOT overrated oxygen - to cater for the traffic and fluctuating but almost permanent water restrictions and one has to wonder how on this earth can anyone consider let alone state publically with an apparent air of conviction there is room for an immigration injected population growth, not just here on our Coast but in the country, without the life sustaining amenities and improvements BEFORE that growth occurs.
To hear politicians stating there is plenty of room on our Coast for an increase in population makes me shudder. Arguing with each other the ‘over the top’ numbers of acceptable immigration one would think these folks also forget that many of the people already here are going to increase the population with families of their own.
To hear Dick Smith echoing my thoughts of dramatically reducing the immigration intake figures made me feel less like a territorial bigot and more like one who has seen the changes and recognises the idiocy, dangers and changes of too many more real families being crammed into a diminishingly small space with less effective amenities to service them for the freedom and half way decent life their families fought and continue to fight for.
POSTED;
21.08. 2010 @ 0950 by Debbi
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SHE DID A LOT FOR ME:
ELAINE PEARL - 1925
- 2010
There are zillions of thoughts that constantly cross through the mind on the passing of probably the most important. constant and supportive person in your life - your Mum.
Mums just are and they just do - they are so much that you never knew and you want so much more of, when those kind, tender, supporting but hard worked hands are no longer there to hold.
While being Mums carer for many years has been exhausting, worrisome and often frustrating I would not trade a second of being there.
We shared a bond we two that much could have unraveled but the bond held tight.
Mums are the sculptor of your morals, the leaders of your way, the discipline for your learning, the forgers of your strength, the coach of your manners and the absolute unconditional love in your life.
There will only ever be that one that deserves the true meaning of Mum. She gave up so much of her life and did so much for us as well as many other people that I was so proud to hear the many comments on how grateful people were to have met her. That's my mum.
Sleep well and the sweetest of dreams Mum. You so deserve the peace you now have and we will carry on doing the good deeds you showed by example.
Love you more!
POSTED;
17.04. 2010 @ 1610 by Debbi
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In 1996 three very special people came into my life and changed me much for the better. Debbi and her daughters Kelli and Cindi are like my family and i am blessed to be a part of their journeys through this lesson that is called life I then soon after got to meet a fourth wonderful lady, Deb's mother and the girls grandmother, Elaine Pearl Rae. A tough feisty (like her daughter) gentle, generous and honourable lady who was devoted to her family, Elaine always had a sparkle even when her physical condition became bad in the last few years. She was more then ready to give me a friendly verbal clip around the ear if i strayed out of line! My fondest recollections are of Christmas lunch at her little green house at Erina with all her family around-lots of pressie’s, food and lots more love-and i was always made welcome and to feel a part of it all. I got to know a little of the family history and how her first and second husbands put their lives on the line for Australia in WWII. I would have loved to have known them. Her work with the Red Cross said volumes of the caring nature of this extraordinary lady who raised, loved and nurtured five children and was blessed with grand and great grandchildren.
Elaine, you were a lady of old world values who gave so much to the new world. Til we all meet you again, we will love and miss you.
Journey well, fly high..... You have earned the stars.
Dave Underwood
POSTED;
25/07/2010 @ 1100
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 WHAT PRICE PROGRESS:
While I sat at the monstrosity that is the Terrigal Drive & The Entrance Road traffic lights recently I realised just how much change locals and recent new residents have endured on what used to be this most peaceful laid back Central Coast.
Sitting atop that man altered hill (it was raised to accommodate whatever they needed to do with the roadwork's) I remembered the War Memorial that used to sit where the left turn lane now is, I remember walking to school and topping the much smaller hill to see a service station, a post office, peoples homes and trees. My grandson found this hard to believe, sitting in the car with me and seeing the view in front of him.
I feel empathy for those living along the current roadwork's at Erina Heights near the school (well those that still have their homes of course) and those yet to be subjected to the nightmarish time that is progress, having endured the same for almost 2 years when they did the changes around Hubbards Creek. The dust, the noise, the simple fact of having access to your home or even just putting the bins out on garbage night, the noise, did I mention the noise? Workcover would shut down residential roadwork areas I am sure, if the residents were employees or at least issue them ear plugs.
But even all that paled as I saw the total destruction of the trees near Matcham Road and then the nursery, the Raymondale Art School and that beautiful home behind it.
Those who knew local icon David Andrews and frequented the art studio for either classes or to visit a friend will know what has just been destroyed. Beautiful oregon beams, hand made lead light windows, Archibald entry art pieces hanging on the beautiful mud brick walls and a home away from home for friends, students and even the odd music stars (sorry Scott-E I mean that in the nicest way).
It was the place where famous people like Di Morrissey, Madame Lash and others sat for portraits, Peter Pan sailed a ship, the mythical head of John the Baptist sat on the platter, the muses watched over you, a wonderland of interest, history and fun adventure. It was a place of warmth on cold nights, tofu dinners, scary DVD nights, a myriad of books, so many books, first editions, art, mythology, astrology, homeopathy so much to see, learn and do or just a place to have a great wine and chat with wonderful friends.
The home built not so long ago behind the studio was gorgeous. It could easily have been in a home magazine but it had ambience as well. The observatory at the top was also a glorious addition.
There was no option for a public sale of the house, (who would buy it anyway with a road at your front door) and land as per the acquisition of land by the RTA. We take it and you lose it' basically is the option this home owner (and others no doubt) have faced. It's all gone now, bulldozed away, and for what? A few extra feet of bitumen?
For many years the population has grown. The roads, not to mention our natural resources, hospitals, doctors etc have become so overloaded that they are all at breaking point.
So, what will an extra lane in each direction really accomplish? An extra 5 minutes off the trip to and from work or school? There are still bumper to bumper waits along the way and even with the finalisations of the roadwork's there will be too.
Am I a whinging local who detests this amount of progress? Absolutely! But ask any of the hundreds of thousands of visitors and holiday makers who have moved up here to escape the city or city suburban life, 'the rat race', how they feel. The same life they tried to escape by moving here is shadowing swiftly. How do we balance these changes and still keep the reason millions of people visit here time after time? What will become of our famous holiday area? When, where and how will it end are the questions I would like answered.
POSTED;
28.02.2010 @ 1255 by Debbi
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ADVERTISING AND WHATS REALLY BETWEEN THOSE LINES:
There are some teachers that have significant impact upon our lives as kids. They can be good or bad impacts but the one that I relate to is a good one – Mrs. Margaret McGowan.
Back in the days of a more free childhood there were fewer restrictions, political correctness issues and more common sense (well most of the time). Police were allowed to police so you toed the line and being a kid didn’t mean how sexy you could look at 12 years old. None of us even wanted to look at a Dolly magazine after some intellectual insight and spot on predictions regarding the effects this may have on our kids from this wonderful lady. It was puddles and mud pies in a downpour of rain; Being a kid and having fun.
Mrs. McGowan was cool. She was sophisticated and down to earth and she instilled in us self respect and awareness. Our favourite topic was advertising and how to read between the lines… What was said had to be basically true so the word twist started and is still in fine form today.
* Clinically proven or clinical studies MUST have been tested in a clinic – veterinary, dental didn’t matter – a great con by advertising companies.
* An ad I heard for a mass burger chain advertising breakfast with a freshly CRACKED egg – not a fresh egg. What? did they think we are concerned about when the egg was cracked? I would be more concerned about how long ago the egg was laid. Eeeew, if you could, wouldn’t saying the eggs were fresh be a better pitch?
* A recent pizza chain advertising ‘now with quality fresh ingredients’ what the hell were they feeding you before then I dared to ask?
* A shampoo company (allegedly with major amounts of silicone) giving you healthy or healthier ‘looking’ hair.
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Supermarket chains – Take a good look at how they advertise their produce and compare it to the signage in a market or fruit and veggie shop that DOES get and sell fresh produce. They often use the word 'fresh' but listen to the before and after's. Do they EVER say our produce IS fresh and from local farms?
There are many ploys to get your hard earned dollar. We all need or want ‘stuff’ so one company has to stand out above the rest to be the favourite but when they resort to these tactics, well it’s nothing short of insulting.
Listen to what they are NOT saying and read between the lines before you buy. If a product is what it claims to be they can say it. You choose and our choices will weed out the wheat from the chaff.
My pick of the bunch; a cola company splashing the words 'making the impossible possible' on the TV screen. They're not saying they CAN actually do that but I instantly think how about granting all of us a second natural Mum to give the first one a break.
I'd Like to see them do that...
POSTED;
16/10/2009 @ 1305 pm by Debbi
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What a wonderful world it is away from the media, the pressures to buy the latest and you beaut gizmo, social demands placed on children and teenagers. Taking part in local cultural and artistic activities. Calling on your neighbour for a chat and a cuppa. Giving quality time to your children and grandchildren, helping a mate in need and finally showing gratitude for the things that enrich our lives.
Live to love and love to live, embrace happiness and find inner peace.
Jim Heywood
POSTED;
21/10/2009 @ 1800
WHAT KIND OF PERSON WOULD DO THAT?:
In this 21st century there are a zillion protections in place for those who work.
Zero tolerance on abuse, sexual harassment, gender discrimination etc...
So what do you do when a sitting judge says "That's your line of work, it is to be expected, deal with the assault"
You suck it up of course and get on with the job. There is more to this job than that - there is being abused, attacked, spat on, seeing the most horrific side of the human nature, seeing the results first hand and real of the carnage of a speeding P plater or a drunk driver and perhaps even being killed yourself.
What kind of person, gets up every day to go to a job that sounds as bad as this? A Police Officer. Why? Because they believe they are helping folks like you and me and ensuring that the world turns as we and communities expect it to.
Tuesday the 29th of September is Police Remembrance day. You don't have to do anything about it really but if you happen to be near a service, pop in and show the gratitude or even just spare a few minutes thought and thanks to the mums, dads, and families of those who have died in the line of duty protecting the way we expect to live.
Our expectations do come at a price - a lot of us don't realise just how much.
POSTED;
26/09/2009 @ 1505 pm by Debbi
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SO NOW WE WAIT:
It was days and hours of research, writing, tweaking and stressing to make the deadline, but it is done.
Now we wait to see the fate of our beloved NSW Music Industry.
While many were unaware there are changes coming and couldn't submit to voice their opinions, many did know and perhaps didn't bother while those that know the drastic changes that may come from this ill informed review (hopefully) saved those collective butts by taking the time.
While many of NSW's performers are opposed to booking agents
they are a part of the industry.
A venue operator and others are too busy to vet the hundreds of applications for entertainers they receive while this is what the booking agent does.
Its a sign of these busy times that agents are widely utilised by the venues and other employers who will grant you a gig.
if you look at this objectively it raises the standards for performers in the industry.
Gone will be the days of performers going into popular venues undercutting rates just to show their talents. Gone are the days of lack of professionalism. An agent won't book a performer who is not a professional as their own rep is on the line.
While it does become frustrating for those who used to, quite successfully, book themselves agents (the honest ones) can and probably will improve the local industry.
Good luck to you all and my sincere appreciation to those who took the time to submit, your peers owe you much!
POSTED;
03/08/2009 @ 11.30 pm by Debbi
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Yes those of us who are concerned, wait in anticipation and live in hope that we don't take a backward step As the industry has come a long way since the dark ages of the 60s and 70s performers have been educated in the awareness of their workplace conditions and award entitlements.
The working relationship between artist and a majority of booking agents and managers has been a healthy one over the past 3 decades.
The industry has had the power to curb the progress of some unscrupulous operators who continue to trade (fortunately on a small scale under the present legislation).
Of course this present scenario could change if planned amendments to the act are successful.
Many young musicians and students are currently enrolled in accredited courses in this State on the important elements of dealing with entertainment representatives ethically and professionally.Will these graduates encounter a climate of uncertainty as they deal with unlicensed representatives?.Are the educators aware of these planned amendments to the act and should course curriculum's be more fashioned towards dealing with situations of ambiguity when dealing with an unlicensed representative.
I think the more we analyse this subject matter the more anomalies the POWERS THAT BE will discover in time and hopefully reconsider a legislation befitting a healthy and prosperous entertainment industry in the 21st century.
Jim Heywood
POSTED;
07/08/2009 @ 10.00 pm
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Yawn! oops i think i caught the apathy virus i've been waiting with baited breath for more input on the entertainment act amendments it looks like there is just 2 concerned people on the coast but you know good people the dust has settled and we live in the real world .Watch the panic when the mud sticks,dazzle at the charlatans as they pay you not peanuts but the crumbs at the bottom of the bag.
ACT NOW OR FIND ANOTHER PROFESSION
Jim Heywood
POSTED;
05/09/2009 @ 1730
Thanks Jim
We have contacted all the Shadow ministers who will help us in the cause. It was to be discussed on the 2nd of September but now will be the 8th. I will let you know how it went when I know.
Deb |
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 END OF AN ERA:
All around us, up close or strangers, there walk those quite, unassuming, selfless heroes we call volunteers.
These folk selflessly do charitable deeds that may or may not affect us personally but do help many in our community.
One such lady is Elaine (Pearl) Rae.
Elaine has been doing the RED CROSS TELECROSS SERVICE since 1984 and on many an occasion calling more than one person per month to help meet the extreme demand of those in need and so few volunteers.
Elaine continued doing her Telecross Call through the death of her husband and her sister, through a fall or two that left her almost bedridden and through many of life's general illnesses, sad times and mayhem. The only time Elaine took off was when hospitalised and an actual holiday away for a few days.
While there are many, many Telecross callers out there, perhaps some even calling one of your grand parents, Elaine is a very special case; She celebrated her 84th birthday in early July, yes, her 84th birthday.
While this birthday is a definite celebration and the milestone of hitting 25 years with the Red Cross was a long time dream, Elaine has sadly, regrettably had to pull the plug early.
She has realised that
her own health issues make it difficult to assist those in need, as best they need, so 4 months short of the 25 years she has had to leave her long time sentinels post.
This has broken her generous heart and no end of reassurance of the legendary job done and the few lives known for sure she has saved
have been able to alleviate the sense of letting down those in need.
Don't sweat it Mum you have done a brilliant and remarkable job and we are all extremely proud of you!
Congratulations.
12/06/2009 @ 4.30 pm by Debbi
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CROOKED KIWI'S GET A FEW TONGUES WAGGING:
I was watching a show called Underbelly the other night.
In between snoozing (I’m not a big TV fan) I realised that if I was a New Zealander I would be feeling a tad paranoid about now.
It was interesting to hear my thoughts also reflected by some local radio jocks as well.
Australia (according to this show) appeared to be inundated with crooked Kiwis coming over here to rip us off before they bumped us off, not only taking over a variety of local ‘industries’ but also ‘conning’ the local Aussie population from the streets to the Airports (no – that didn’t go down well at all). I thought it a tad unbelievable and over the top at first only to discover this is apparently based on true events and while the period and crimes were big news way back when I wondered how much had changed.
There were Royal Commissions with a few rolling heads resulting if I recall but I guess the lesson learned was vigilance.
Modern technology and sniffer dogs etc probably do curb a lot of this these days but where the big bucks were concerned, well, ‘where there was a will there was a way’.
I will be looking forward to catching an episode where the Aussie's finally show crooked ‘newbies’ that we are not a nation of idiots, the good triumphs over the evil, and eventually they will be caught out - Again.
Hello to all my Kiwi friends and I wonder how you feel about the show so far …
18/02/2009 @ 4.30 pm by Debbi
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Hey Bro er Deb eh,
Sorry sometimes it just rubs off on you being around our Maori and Pakeha cousins from across the pond. The thing that mostly occupies our minds in all seriousness is Rugby Union. The annual meeting of the two nations, who will take home the coveted Bledsiloe Cup, The Wallabies, or The Allblacks.
We all talk it up and speculate but the great leveler is on the rugby field where many a fine tournament is decided, win,lose or draw.
The only crooked thing about a kiwi is the way they walk off the field after being convincingly defeated by THE WALLABIES, go home and lick their wounds, and come back with hunger in their hearts for another lesson in art of playing rugby.
May the green and gold prevail in 2009.
22/02/2009 @ 11.50pm by James A Heywood |
PRINGLES: JUST NOT THE REAL THING:
I know they have been around for a while and appear to be popular, but WHY? I ask you.
When something is popular and you don't like it you can sometimes feel a little alienated and paranoid about having an opinion.
In a simple conversation recently regarding other ways to peel potatoes someone else also mentioned that they weren't on their favourites list either. I thought I was alone, I was labeled old fashioned by my kids, it was a just a simple preference thing.
I remember the days, way back when, where trust was the flavour of the day. Our bread and even ice creams, like the humble paddle pop, came in open packets.
Unheard of in this 21st century.
Many consumables are tainted with something that is bound to make you sick these days. Even at the humble fruit shop!
If we all paid credence to the one million and one study results we are bombarded with almost daily, we possibly wouldn't venture out the front door or clean our teeth.
The humble potato was first dehydrated, initially for convenience, many years ago. It's not that I'm a big fan - I just remember it was the era of silly nick names and mine of course was 'mashed potato'.
So how do they get dried potato (which appears to go 'flaky' when all the moisture is removed), to cook to the point of being crisp?
And whats with the shape? Are they stamped or moulded while cooking or after cooking and still a glug?
Now the good ole Smiths Chip (or crisp as they are called) may not be at the top of the nutritional value list either but are great for that salt hit craving that sometimes attacks.
You know it was a real whole potato sliced and cooked. It even looks like a potato slice.
Maybe my dislike can be linked to one of those old studies on food appearance/mind acceptance test results I learned in advertising awareness classes in school.
Ahh - its the little things that tweak the imagination.
03/02/2009 @ 9.40am by Debbi
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I prefer to make my own and bypass the middle man/woman nothing like the homemade chip slice it to your required thickness and certain types of potatoes make an ideal tasty morsel and don't forget to drain off excess oil before you serve.
Most of my friends have tried Pringle's and like myself always choose the homemade variety .I CALL UPON ALL HONEST CENTRAL COAST CHIP LOVERS PEEL,SLICE,THEN GENTLY FRY. A GOOD HOMEMADE CHIP WILL STAND OUT ABOVE ALL OTHERS.
10/02/2009 @ 5.40pm by James A Heywood |
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Hi Deb
I’m with you on this one; I never could understand the fascination with those ‘chips’ that seemed to invade our shores from foreign lands, and became the “IN” thing at the time, screaming “I’M AN IMPORT, TRY ME” as you wandered past it in the aisle with a severe case of the munchies.
Sadly however, most who tried them were very disappointed – me included.
Maybe the Companies plan for longevity in the marketplace was always going to be partaking in aggressive marketing ploys and undercut other, more well-known and respected brands, just to survive. I mean really, the chips are so thin that you can pretty much see through them!
The question begs to be asked though (at least in my mind); how much fat is each wafer-thin chip lined with? How many can you really eat before you’re ready to be sick?
I must confess, I’ve done half a long tube of them, and have never gone back – and I’m thankful. I know a lot of others who have done the same thing; and the results are the same; sick to the back teeth.
The REAL deal (Smith’s in case you’re wondering) have been around for as long as I can remember, and despite their being more air in the packs nowadays, quality shines through, and that’s what I’m after – a munchie that actually LOOKS like a potato, TASTES like a potato and IS a potato! (I neglected to mention that I’m a potato fan didn’t I?)
Do you think Gen Y will be reminiscing in 20 years time saying… “Hey, do you remember those Pringle's chip things, I wonder what happened to them?” Gen X of course is still in memory lane about the Paddle Pop competition and I for one, can’t believe that I used to be able to consume an entire box and still never win a prize.***
Smith’s (I don’t care if they are imports) for me is the way to go. I love my spuds, and have had a few potato-orientated nicknames that relate too, but they’ve stood the test of time, and like all true products, they’re worthy of attention.
Signed
A Spud Nut!
04/02/2009 @ 10.40 by Spud Nut |
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 WHATS ON CENTRAL COAST BLOG ARCHIVES |
Now This Is HELP:
There are times when we are out of tune with the signals and times when every little thing becomes a sign.
I discovered tonight an old newsletter from June 2001 and it appeared from nowhere. I remember getting it but I cannot remember where, when, who, how or why....
This is one of the stories in it; perhaps the answer does lie within...
At close to midnight on a stormy rain drenched Alabama highway back in the 1960's, an elderly African American lady stood near her broken car with a broken spirit. Surprisingly a young white male stopped to assist her. he dropped her somewhere safe, organised help for the car and then popped her in a cab. In those troubled times this was a big deal.
She was in a hurry but took the time to thank him and write down the young mans address.
About a week later the young man received a delivery to his home of a huge console colour TV. There was a note attached, it read...
"Thank you for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but my spirits as well. Then you came along. Because of you I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others. Sincerely Mrs Nat King Cole."
We never really know what happens or is happening in other people’s shoes.
Quite often a few of us never even seem to care.
The joy this simple act gave to this woman and her husband is a joy no one else but the young man and the couple will know. Don't give up though; we could all keep trying to find out.
11/03/05 @ 11:55:39 pm by Debbi
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Mixed Bag:
Is life really like a box of chocolates or more like a bag of mixed lollies?
Life and living so often get compared to all sorts of things and these comparisons may seem relevant at the time.
But life is change. Without change life and those who live it would stagnate.
Now change and a mixed bag of lollies may seem worlds apart but - if you don't like those awful black jelly babies you then choose not to have them. The same as life. If you do not agree to one's perception or grasp on life, you choose not to have them in your life.
The fun part is discovering what lies deep inside. We all know that chocolate éclair lolly has that chocolate (or other) flavoured goo on the inside. We really can't go around biting people to see what they have inside, so, we endure the all day sucker confection.
In a bag of life you will possibly get a few nuts as well.
In both bags you can get sweet or sour, hard or soft, hot or bland, colourful or plain and sticky, chewy or crunchy. The choice is there and the choice is ours.
Know your lolly!
It won't guarantee you disappointment but its such fun searching through the bag.
07/05/05 @ 05:34:32 pm by Debbi
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