Bernard Tomic, grow up or get out!

I am not surprised that Tomic is out of the games already.  He showed complete disrespect at being part of the Australian Olympic team.  When asked, at the press conference, who he had to play, he replied that he didn't know (he did know), just that it was a Japanese bloke.  He then laughed as if this was funny!!! Not only was he disrespectful, it showed his complete lack of maturity and common sense.  It even made Lleyton & Sam, who were sitting next to him, cringe with embarrassment.  So, just because an over indulgent parent thinks you are wonderful and the media keep writing you up, does not mean that you are a good tennis player, or even a mediocre tennis player.  If you want to achieve anything in life, have a chat to some real champions.  Either grow up and start playing like you want to win, or get out and go play somewhere else. 

It's so UNFAIR

The older I get, the angrier I get at life's injustices.  Two stories caught my eye today on an online news service.  The first one was "Banned driver caught doing burnouts" and the second one was "Hero lost: girl, 9, drowns after saving brother".  Now it appears that a 19 yo moronic repeat offender, who had previously been banned from driving for 32 years, was taunting police by doing burnouts in front of them.  Not only is this first grade wanker, stupid, he obviously has no respect for anyone or anything.  It's about time that the courts realised that banning drivers (who rarely have licenses anyway) from driving is a complete waste of time.  The penalties need a radical overhaul.  At the very least they should be made to do community service at the morgue and a rehabilitation centre.  So, when I came to read the second article about the little girl that drowned, my first thought was, why.  Why is this innocent girl dead when there are so many arseholes in this world?  I hope nobody suggests that it's god's will, because is there really is a god, then he/she has stuffed-up again.

"Decentralization" is not a dirty word

With all the debate about urban sprawl around Adelaide and the land grab of good arable farmland, nobody has ever mentioned "de-centralization" as a possible solution.  I can remember when many country towns were thriving entities with schools, hospitals, police stations and lots of sporting activities.  Then, for reasons not clear to me, "centralization" became the new buzz word.  The trains stopped, doctors and teachers no longer wanted to go to the country, businesses closed, shops were vacant and the young ones had to move to the city to find work.  Now surely, with local and state government incentives and support, some of these towns could one again flourish.  There are many benefits to living in a country town.  Housing is cheaper, rental for commercial properties is cheaper and in some instances the basic infrastructure e.g. schools, banks are still there.  Classroom sizes in country schools are generally smaller, so more one-on-one with the teacher.  There is usually great community spirit and lots of sports activities.  After living in a country town there is no way I could go back to city living.  It is just a shame that more people don't get that chance.

Legitimate "cons" or just plain underhand?

There is obviously no limit to some peoples imagination when thinking of new ways to "con" you.  I have been receiving emails offering "free samples" of well known brands, e.g Nestle, Arnotts, Coke and some others.  However, when you open the email, there is NO "free sample", but an invitation to a competition to win "free samples".  Now if I am offered a free sample, then that is what I expect.  If I am invited to enter a competition, and I choose to enter, then I am competing for a PRIZE, not a "free sample".
Another type of competition that I believe is underhand is the one that asks you to list friends email addresses before you complete the entry.  I will never do this, with or without my friends agreement.

Biting the hand that feeds you.

Was watching the news about the protesters at Olympic Dam and began wondering about the people involved.  Now putting to one side, for now, the ethical rights or wrongs about uranium mining, I was struck by the irony of it all.  These people are protesting against the very people who support them! The mining industry contribute a large amount to the government coffers, their employees are all paying taxes and these taxes are used in part to fund people on welfare, the dole or getting education grants etc.  Now, if the mining companies were gone and thousands of workers were unemployed and claiming benefits, then the people that are protesting would have to get jobs and do their bit to support others.  Now that would be ironic.

Australia, not lucky for everyone

To all those people who claim that Australia is the lucky country and we do not do enough for illegal immigrants, I have this request. Could you please open your warm and comfortable homes to one of the families who will be sleeping in their car tonight, because they cannot afford private rent and the wait for public housing is years, not months. If you don’t want any homeless people in your house, what about supplying them with blankets or quilts for these cold nights. Or perhaps you could pay the power bill for some of our elderly pensioners who cannot afford to turn on their heating. Or, maybe give breakfast to some of the many children who go off to school hungry. You won’t have to look far to find them! Australia may be a lucky country, but not for everyone.

Don't they teach English grammar anymore?

I wholeheartedly agree with Dani Wales from The Block, when she said that the phrase "me and Dani" is annoying.  It is not only Dan who says it.  There is even an ad for lotto where the father says "another thing that me and your mum wanted......"  Nobody over three years of age would say "me wanted" so why would you say "me and etc" 
Even more annoying is when someone says "me and me mate went...."  Would that same person say "me went"? 
Good old fashioned English and English grammar is obviously not taught in schools anymore.

Mitchell Johnson, your time is up

Firstly, I am not a fast bowler, in fact quite the opposite.  I'm old, fat and would have to stop and rest half way through my run up.  However, I have been watching cricket for many, many years and one thing stands out above all else - fast bowlers are not very smart!
Hypothical scenerio:  ODI against England, Mitchell Johnson bowls a front foot no-ball so batsman gets a free hit, which he hits for four.  Now what should the bowler do?  Adjust his run-up?  Most people would say yes, but not a fast bowler, he just bowls another front foot no-ball.  So NOW does he adjust his run up?  Apparantly not, lets bowl another no-ball.
For years now I have defended you Mitchell Johnson, but enough is enough.  Sorry mate, please stop this embarassment.  However, if you can take 5 for very little in the next game, maybe all is forgiven.