Here we are racing towards the end of the year 2007. With Christmas and end of year functions (and for our US friends Thanksgiving) it is a pretty busy time for all.

As it happens my life has taken on a much slower pace, although this week I have a diary full of events to attend, including a Masquerade Ball! At least, since the business I worked for closed down, I don't have to rush off to work during the day.

One of the things I have learned Blogging is how much there is to learn about Blogging. I've written a post about Getting Readers that bloggers might find interesting.

Australian swimmer Michael Redford, son of the late Des Redford swam across the English Channel on this day, on what would have been father’s 80th birthday. Des swam across the Channel on 19 occasions, and this was the first time that Michael had emulated his father’s extra ordinary feat.

I thought it curious that I was receiving many e-cards - from an old school friend, from a friend, from a partner etc.

It seems that this is a new virus that is being spread around the place, and because we all receive this message that purports to be from a trusted source, some of them have been opened.

Well, my next trip is not as exciting as going overseas, but I enjoy travelling ANYWHERE really. My next trip is to Adelaide where I was born, and where my parents still live.

I will use any airline - we have the choice of Qantas, Virgin Blue, and JetStar, and I travel with the one that has the cheapest fare at the time. Fickle I know, but it is only a 2+ hour flight, so all will be more than adequate for my needs.

In 2005 I was fortunate to travel alone from Australia to the UK – and spent a short time in London, and a few weeks in Ireland, and I’ve been keen to travel again ever since. I’m hoping some money will come my way shortly, and I’m looking at travelling to Europe.

the tough get going. Not always though.

In my line of work - helping long term unemployed people - I hear the most tragic of stories. "Things" happen in life that send them into a downward spiral and they have to claw their way back - and often can't without a lot of help.

I've raised the thought elsewhere that the terminology used at the moment about the global climate change that is affecting our world should be renamed as "Global Drought" because I fear that governments and people do not understand the dire ramefications of the climate issues.

I keep reading of drought or water shortages in the UK, Africa, India, and in some parts of the US. I also hear that some people living in very cold climates look forward to global warming.

Playing Games

I’m not one to play much in the way of games on my computer – though I know many people do, I “allow” myself a few minutes playing Spider Solitaire only, and then get back to work. I can do this when I have some sort of “writer’s block” and it works for me.

Work always beckons me, and I have so much to do that I can’t allow myself to spend much time on games – or television, although I do make time to watch some shows that are special to me. I like some Quiz shows – 1 vs 100 is a favourite, but there are others that are very popular including Deal or No Deal

Advertising is everywhere. I remember when I was teaching some years ago, and focusing on literacy and numeracy I tried to explain to my adult students (they were a disadvantaged group – most had left school early), how important the ability to read, and write was in modern society.

I divided the class into two groups and sent them around the neighbourhood in a planned route. One went clockwise and they were asked NOT to READ any signs, or posters etc. The other group had to go anticlockwise and they were asked to NOTE any signs, words, posters and so forth that they saw on the route.

A long long time ago, I got into trouble with my credit card. I remember it well, for I was so embarrassed about it. I remember well when the bank first wrote to me asking me if I’d like to get a credit card.

They offered me something like $2,000 credit. I could see the value in having a credit card – for emergencies – and I remember going to the bank and saying that as I only worked part time, I was only willing to extend to $200 limit. The bank thought I was silly, but in the end agreed.

I don't understand why people play with and "do" drugs that are dangerous. I guess I can understand the idea that one "feels" better - as a smoker in the past I probably though I felt a little better by smoking. I do think though it was the pressure to do what everyone else was doing. My smoking days were well over 30 years ago.

I do like alcohol - though I hate drinking too much as any eurphoria is quickly passed and the dizziness is very difficult to cope with.

Late this morning Steve Irwin, famous Australian crocodile hunter, was killed in a freak accident while diving off Lowe Isles, off Port Douglas in North Queensland, Australia.

Reports are that while filming a documentary this moning the barb of a stingray pierced his heart.

Steve was a larger than life fellow who was passionate about wildlife and created an extra ordinary following here and in the USA.