December update

G'day.. yes it is December... posts went missing after transition to warrnambool. will persevere
with the odd [as in infrequent, not strange] update as time and opportunity allow.

alternate posts at www.myspace.com/martinfh

will make effort to be better at this... it's the self-imposed deadlines, discipline for blogging which is a new discovery... would also help to have something to say....

Sabu is well...he may make a guest appearance in the festive season.

Later..

split personality

g'day. long time since last post here.
be advised of additional blog at
www.myspace.com/martinfh

have just switched to this beta version here.
unsure how it all works .
will keep you posted.

check here or myspace!
anon.
martin fh

Transition

24 June, 2006...
Transition...
Yes, we are back...for a time. Ourself is transitioning back home to Warrnambool after completing a span of days in the outer suburbs of Bendigo.
There will be a brief sojourn at the dwelling of close friends whilst my unit is being vacated by the current occupants. It is anticipated this could be accomplished in a very short time frame, and the household collection can again be restored to the home dwelling.

It will be a relief to get back to the realms of the familiar, and to investigate the ongoing opportunities which lie ahead. Shifting a dwelling is akin to Sisyphus pushing his rock up the hill, only to see it roll back down. Boxes are littered about, some are half filled, others need filling.
Assorted JUNK lies in every cupboard, wardrobe, box, shelf, and cabinet-all of which needs to be plucked from its perch and stuffed in a box , ready for transport. The final result of this exercise will be communicated by my editorial assistant Sabu, whilst I recover from the rigors of the journey.
Until anon...now where did i put the packing tape?

new moon new location

new moon. new location...bendigo victoria or rather kangaroo flat in the suburbs. Moved here April 06 to a job in a small school.

shifting is fun...NOT! one discerns that life as a pack rat has a downside...extra boxes needed for all the junk....despite filling a large skip with discarded rubbish.

Took a month or more exactly 6 weeks to get the phone on, as there were no phone cables installed from the front of the new dwelling to a junction box across the road.

Eventually the trench diggers came and put a pipe for the cables under the road and hooked them up. Then a wait for a technician to arrive a- week later, mind- to turn the phone on. This was followed by 4 days awaiting broadband to be reactivated.

Will try to post more as consciousness returns. Have a good day.

a spectacle

G'day. Well, it's been awhile...
Today's reflection is on opticians.
Had an eye exam last week, after a 3 year lapse. The renewal notice was on the fridge for 1.5 years.
The worst part of the exam is the eye drops to expand the pupils... light becomes really really glary. The other bit is the pressure test-


They put a device on the eye to test interior pressure. One is not used to having a log up against one's orbital region. The next fun bit is looking through the lenses they put in the big round scope thing you have to look through. "Which is better..one...or two?" It is at this stage confusion descends; you try to read the word but can't decide which is clearer, so you take a punt. "Number 2"

The next trick they have is reading the text on the wall. Obviously I can't read the bottom line, so I go to the largest font and get that right. Deceptively, they switch lenses and try again. During the change of lenses, I try to memorise the bottom line. Then they switch to a new set of text. I protest. The optician Smirks.

Eventually a prescription is derived and we move to the fashion segment- Frames. They all are nice, and nicely priced. The choices get confusing, but at length in tired frustration a pair are selected.

The warm fuzzy bit happens a few days later at the fitting. The new specs are placed on the face with the flourish of a head waiter serving top shelf wine.
Tweaking of the bows of the frame, the nosepads, and refitting concludes with
paying BIG bikkies at the front counter. They throw in a nice cleaning cloth and case.. for $500. worth of glass and plastic, that's the least they could do.

I can now read the tv guide. all is well... and good to be back, dear reader.
Have a good day. I have to go polish my lenses.

a dog's tail

Good Day!
it has been nearly 10 days since last posting.

This is due to the influence of the planitary alignment, the ozone layer, the lunar cycle, the jetstream in the atmosphere, and benign neglect.

Our furry friend is here today to elicit sympathy from the loyal readers, {numbering under 10} and to evoke a measure of compassion for the author.


It was felt prudent to not include another stinging rebuke from Sabu, my Executive Ast., as this would only serve to re-enforce the sense of self-loathing, gloom, despondency, shame and utter conempt the author feels at yet another lapse in meeting obligations to his diminishing list of readers.

So as I sit today in the doghouse, I would ask that any who see this bleating tome today reflect on the unconditional love of our four footed friend above. Creatures of that ilk are always ready to forgive, play, protect, and be present in all situations, an in a non-judgemental way.

In the hope that these characteristics will rub off on the readership, I bid you adieu for this session, and will, with the best of intentions, resume a posting in the much sooner future. MFH
woof! woof!

Rant Of The Day

G'day. Back in person again. It's been a few days since the last post. Sabu is having the day off, so i'm here to personally express regrets for missing a few days.

There are reasons for this lapse, but not excuses.

1. up late watching the olympics

2. up late watching taped shows on during the olympics.

Basically, I have been too tired and time has slipped by- not that I haven't been on the computer, it is just that I've been distracted by other things....I am a news junkie. I''ve been looking at webcasts of various news outlets, as well as surfing world newspapers. All of this takes time. The result is the blog was incomplete. Or, rather, not started- to be more precise.

Sabu has sent me a stern memorandum chastising me for missing the posts. It is too sensitive to be quoted here. Suffice to say I hope to makea better effort in the days ahead.

The previous post had a photo of a fox running through the hounds. There is a caption contest so send in your submissions to go in the draw for a prize!

I'm signing off now. Catch you soon(er) rather than later with next post. Have a good night. Looking forward to watching luge and downhill ski crashes in tonight's olympics. Happy Viewing. MFH

Run With The Hounds

G'day. I am back, after the receipt of several memos from Sabu, (my Executive Assistant and former employee India Railways. )

Being suitably chastened, i will redouble efforts to maintain regular [read-daily] updates in this forum.

One discovers that doing this activity leads to it having a momentum off its own, whereby, like runners or joggers, one feels guilty if not doing the activity on a regular basis.

I am now afflicted with such remorse, and am keen to stay on task with this, if only to induce the cessation of Sabu's insufferable memos.


Today's picture was to this pair of four eyes {wearing glasses} an amusing one, suitable for many inspirational applications. The set homwork for any who read this, is to write back with any ideas you have on what life-principles the picture presents. A prize will be awarded for the best interpretation of the picture.

A panel of impartial judges, will examine each entry and winners will be notified by email.
Staff here look forward to reading your contributions.

For now, Adieu, and have a good week.
MFH [back at the helm]

Further Apologies And Clarifications

Greeting Esteemed Reader.

Sabu, [executive assistant to MFH and former employee India Railways] is under instruction to provide this communication on behalf of the esteemed author of the blog.

Yet again, due to circumstances under the influence of the tides, lunar and solar cycles, the ozone layer, and calculated neglect, MFH regrets to advise that he has been remiss in posting and is in some distress at the lack of application.

I am further instructed to convey the most beseeching and grovelling apologies on his behalf for this most discourteous ommission to this blogging task.


MFH has instructed that new infrastructure and procedures and protocols be immediately initiated to ensure the prompt completion of the blog in a timely mannar. An edict has been promulgated which will now require MFH to have completed the blog by 1700hrs [5;00pm] each day- effective immediately this date- 8 Feb. 2006.

The most gracious readers of this web communication can now rest assured that items will henceforth be posted according to the improved guidelines.

For and at the behest of MFH, I remain your most obedient servant.
Sabu ( Exec. Asst. to MFH & former employee India Railways)

mental delays/ interruptions to service/ anomilies etc

G'day.. Again, a delay in posting due to late nights watching Australian Open tennis for the last 2 weeks.

There will be a short spell of regular updates, i.e. more consistently regular for the interim period- until the start of the winter olympics.

The next major interruption will be Wimbledon, followed by the French and USA open tennis. As these are the only major sporting {exercise} events i follow, a generally more sustained rate

of publishing will occur in the days ahead. I am keenly aware of the shrill cry of increasingly less fervent demands on the part of the readership of this tome for the blog to continue. Such hue and cry is falling on deaf ears, so in the interests of your aural safety, it is strongly suggested such clamour cease. The blog will continue.

A word about my assistant Sabu. I have re-read his posting and am convinced with slightly more attentive mentoring, I will be able to bring him to a state whereby he will be able to share more regularly in this space. Such advancement will be dependent on his willingness to adopt a more compliant and less pompous attitude in his written expression. Rest assured I will have words with him regarding his prose style.

Meanwhile, I hope you all have a good week. Until next time then...

MFH

G'day. Good to be back with you. Thanks to Sabu for filling in on last post. Things were a bit hectic this past week, but now the drone of dull daily routine has resumed.

Today, Sunday in Australia, has been a scorcher with temperatures near 40C /110F.

I sat inside under the air conditoner watching the Australian Open Tennis. To be more accurate, in front of the AC not under it. The tennis was on tv, not the ac.

Due to the absence of recent posts, my sentence structure is suffering a meltdown in this heat. That's my excuse and I am sticking with it. As a professionally trained English teacher, or more precisely, a teacher of English, I recognize the need for precision and clarity in written expression.

Since that is not occuring in this particular post, I humbly beg your forgiveness and promise to do better on the next one. Until then, have a good week. Sabu will make the odd or rather occasional guest appearance in this posting. He aspires to the degree of linguistic sophistication as possessed by this writer. I will take every opportunity to encourage him.

Anon, dear reader...

A thousand apologies

Greeting Esteemed Reader...
I am Sabu, executive assistant to Martinfh.
I am instructed to convey on behalf of his good self, 1000 apologies on the lateness of this posting.
A number of days have elapsed since MFH has posted to this most worthy blog. I am further instructed to advise you, his most esteemed readers, that MFH has been unavoidably detained with a number of social engagements which precluded the opportunity to create a posting.

At this writing he is presently performing morning ablutions, a process familiar to everyone. Consequently, he has requested that I post on his behalf today to assure you of his sincere regrets at the gross negect of his posting duty, and to assure you, most worthy reader, that this situation will be quickly remedied.

I am further required to extend to you, on behalf of MFH, his wish that you have a most pleasant day, and to assure you of his soon return to this space.

Respectfully,
SABU
[Executive Assistant to MFH and former employee India Railways.]

Some Days Are Like That

G'day. Someone sent me today's pic, called 'Mission Impossible'. This is open to several interpretations I guess, but here's one view.

The mouse shows initiative by scaling down from a great height {ceiling}.


There is an element of risk [ trap].
There is a great prize [ cheese]
There is a moment of decision [go or no go]

These represent all the elements of everyday life, really, having goals, facing the challenges, committing to a plan. [or having one].

One hopes you will be inspired in some way by the pic of the day and derive insight for your own personal situation.

Time now for a grilled cheese sandwich.. Adieu.

What's The Story Here?

G'day. Well , another pastoral scene, early Sunday morning last.

The incongruity of the tyre {tire in USA} on the fence caught my attention. I Also liked the texture of the wood on the fencerails.

The above has nothing to do with today's reflection, as there is none, being a cloudy day. Thus there will be no rant or diatribe today , in keeping with the pastoral bliss of the scene above. It is now 10.00PM, well past my alotted hours of consciousness, so i will make my way to the realm of slumber and repose.

Staff below stairs are yet searching for Beethovan's Pastoral Symphony to accompany the series of pictures. Their collective efforts thus far have not been rewarded. They have been instructed by my executive assistant Sabu [former employee India Railways, and keeper of my Diary,] to redouble their efforts.

Just because people have never seen Sabu, does not mean that he doesn't exist- he will show up at unexpected times, and will at the odd time, enter a blog item, purporting to present ideas on my behalf.

Don't believe a word of those postings- he is very officious and bureaucratic and writes in civil service jargon. You have been warned.
Sweet dreams.

This is SO accurate

Sunday Sunrise

G'day. Something a bit different. The fruit of yesterday's 3;50 a.m. wake up call resulted in the picture you see above.

Called "Town Cows" because the herd was within the civic boundaries of Warrnambool, Vic., this exclusive image was captured at 6;30 a.m. in a paddock not far from my dwelling.

I had been planning this photo shoot for some time, wanting to catch the right morning light, and took a series of about 12 photos at this paddock.
Others will be posted in the days ahead.

That's all for today- just wanted to set a pastoral mood to start off the new week... now where did I put that Beethoven symphony?

Have a moo day!

Sunday Morning Really Really Early

Shh! [whisper] be very, very quiet. It is 3;50 am Sunday morning. yes that's A.M. I notice it's lots faster on the web at this hour. Sites seem to download heaps quicker.

Why are you up at this hour? one might ask. That's an excellent question. Next question?

There's something marvelous about being up early. The quietness has a warmth about it. It's almost like having a secret meeting with the new day- just you and well, the new day- free of distractions, hustle and bustle, noise etc.

In the interests of public health and safety, I must confess this is not a regular occurance, nor is it a result of not taking one's meds- or taking them even. Rather, it is one of those times when one awakens, and doesn't feel tired. The early hour seems irrelevant.

There's a strange energy level that comes with tiptoeing about in the pre-dawn of a new day. Hard to describe unless you have experienced it. The hour brings with it a rare moment of lucidity which is not characteristic of the normal daily routine.

Episodes such as this are infrequent, but they add zest to an otherwise drab day filled with responsibilities and obligations. For the present, I'll try not to think about the second load of laundry and ironing to be done.
Instead, I'll enjoy the sunrise.

Have a great day!

Friday Rant

OK, here's the deal.. we need to ABOLISH passwords. It took me 4 goes to enter my blog today because i forgot my {ahem username}. Sorry, it was not an OMC episode.

Rather, it was a case of too many different passwords and usernames for different logins. One needs to start a campaign for a ULI= Universal Login Identity. This would be a self chosen user/pass which can be forever plus 3 hours [4 hours if leap year] used for all login requirements.
Just yesterday I hooked up to skype the free voIP phone.. is great, easy to use and has great sound. {not a paid endorsement}. In the process of setting up the account a user id/password was needed. I delved into my vast repetoire of ids and pseudopasses and selected one which worked... It should -it was the first time used on the site. Today i had to log in again to check some help details. That episode took 2 goes {tries, attempts}. I then realised i had it written on a scrap of paper under the keyboard- [no one thinks to look there].

Long story short, we want ULI! UNITE FOR ULI! to contribute to growth of this world-wide campaign, enter your unsername/password in this space { } I hope you accessed the site.
sweet dreams...

Can Someone Please Explain?

Good Morning, Good Day, whatever time it is where you are. TODAY'S RANT: Supermarkets.
In the seaside village where I dwell, there are a couple of major "chain" supermarkets.

Can someone please explain why in such establishments, and in each case, when you have 12 or 14 checkouts, there are only one or two lanes open? I suspect from a "management" viewpoint, 'staffing' is kept to minimums to preserve the bottom line, whatever that means.

For the poor consumer who justs wants to get their meagre items and exit, they must endure the ritual of the "Express line-8items or less" which has at least 7 or 8 folk ahead of one in the cue.

As well, if you are driving a trolley with a wonky wheel, you have to jockey between the two open lanes , trying to guess which cue will move faster. Recently at one of these supermarkets, the poor solo checkout girl had folk 10 deep in her lane. The manager standing in his raised outpost box was oblivious to this. When I asked if another lane could be opened, the reply was a very abrupt "NO."

I suspect he missed the class on people skills. If you know why this supermarket trauma occurs, can you please explain? I hope the rest of your day improves.

The Morning After The Night Before

January 2, 2006. Good Day. I trust you have survived New Years Eve and can remember most of what you did. If you can't I'm sure there will be some loyal comrade to remind you with stories and if needed, pictures.

Others of us were sound asleep by 10:00 P.M. That being the hour by which persons of advancing years are required to attend to their slumber. It is a ritual, however, with certain prerequisite tasks to be completed before the bliss of bedding down.
Task One: Security- (a) ensure the front door is locked. (b) Ensure the back door is locked.
Task Two:-Ensure all water taps are off.
Task Three:- Ensure the fridge door is closed.
Task Four:- Ensure the stove is off.
It is at this point of the regime that OMC can rear it's ugly head. {refer to previous post}
Task Five:-Turn out the lights. That's fine if the last light you douse is the bedside lamp. Not so fine if it's the loungeroom lamp or office desk light.
If in the lounge, for example, one realises that one is standing in complete darkness, some distance from the comfort of bed. There is a very good chance of tripping over furniture and shoes in the dark.
The correct procedure is to turn ON the bedside lamp BEFORE dousing the remaining lights in the dwelling. When this procedure is faithfully followed, you can safely navigate your way from the darkened recesses of the dwelling to the serenity of the bedroom. Scoff if you will, you generations x, y, z or whatever you are...your day will come. Ah, in repose at last.... #@$%@# forgot to wind the clock. Pardon me while I grope for the lamp switch.... Now where is that other slipper? Sweet dreams.