“FUBAR! ” – exclaimed Rudolph.
Always enjoyed reading 'Dickens' – at Christmas. You really do need a quiet room, a fire, a comfortable armchair, a standard lamp, a bottle of good red and the luxury of solitude; then you can slip away into other, older worlds and 'taste' the reek of old London town. Of course, in the morning reality comes crashing back, with a vengeance; and deal with that you must. Reading the Dickens tales, the 'story' belies the stark reality of everyday life in those times; tough don't cover it, not even close and it was those realities everyday folk had to deal with.
“Look after the senses and the sounds will look after themselves”
So much for whimsy..Its much the same as Australian aviation has to– indeed, must – come to terms with the realities of its fragile existence. One of the stark realities is that the 'government' of the day and its Minister are deliberately and cynically removed from responsibility by mutual consent (and indecent haste). Fully isolated by a veritable army of disposable 'cut out' modules masquerading as a 'service to the public'. It is the best top cover any politician could wish for, paid from the public purse. But, to add insult to the fiscal injury, the minister when presented with inescapable 'fact' and unequivocal evidence, simply slides out of the spotlight and dumps the problem back onto the handmaidens and acolytes. They, in turn set about diluting the major issues into either a something of nothing; or, provide credible deniability through agency double speak – result, open, bare faced denial that there is any sort of 'real' problem'.
“You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are.”
But enough; it is Christmas time. Traditionally, a time of good will to all men etc.. But, I find it hard to have any of that 'good will' remaining after this year; not too much at all in fact. We have the almost cataclysmic collapse of the Air Traffic Service; held together, by the skin of it's teeth and the good will and work ethic of a dedicated crew. We have the artful, clever meaningless words the ATSB pad out important 'reports' with; when they are eventually published, achieving too little, too late, (or anything worthwhile): only just serving the obligations to convention, while providing top cover, on demand for the 'Authority'. Something to do with a MoU and 'directives'. As it is Christmas, and 'cussing' is discouraged; we may keep comment about the 'Authority' out of the mix; lest I completely 'loose it' and open that Pandora's box of misanthropic incompetence and bloody minded, self righteous twaddle and outright daylight robbery of the public treasury. For a 'nut-shell' study, if you are bored rigid by Boxing day; take a stroll through any of the P2 analysis relating to the Broome events and the 'crock wally' sleight of hand. Any careful analysis will reveal all that needs to be known but is not acted on. It is, in short M'lud, a ducking shambles of epic proportions – an expensive one at that. But enough....(for now)..
“Alice laughed. 'There's no use trying,' she said. 'One can't believe impossible things.'
It is tipping down rain at present; storms – the whole works. Pilots flying, ATC on duty, the ever faithful Fire, Rescue and ambulance services on deck; the police crew all: 'on duty'. Ever ready to weigh in when the proverbial hits the what's it. If you do nothing else this Christmas, spare a though and offer best wishes for those 'on duty' tonight. The 'services', the aircraft loaders, cleaners, re-fuellers; ground crew, the ever patient boys and girls behind the check in, the Customs, the security, those in kitchens making the sandwiches – plenty of good, decent folk working to make sure the 'holiday' season is enjoyed by those who can. Thank you and a merry Christmas to one and all from Aunty Pru and the houseboat crew..
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Aye well; mopped up as best I could the half inch of water blasted through the stable doors by the passing storms; barked at the ever playful pup, shouted at the cat, DT had enough sense to stay out of it. But no matter. On the bench sit the 'requested' items; a jewellery box of superb, old Rose wood glows in the lamp light; a set of kitchen steps in American oak; a blackboard trimmed with Mahogany on a stand; an easel made from recovered Baltic Pine and; my favourite, a small cabinet with a 'nest' of four small drawers within; it took about 40 hours to make and finish – but it looks a treat, Hell I even took a photo of it. That's it; a full week off for me now; who knows where my feet may lead me?
“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
Merry Christmas to one and all. Selah.........
Always enjoyed reading 'Dickens' – at Christmas. You really do need a quiet room, a fire, a comfortable armchair, a standard lamp, a bottle of good red and the luxury of solitude; then you can slip away into other, older worlds and 'taste' the reek of old London town. Of course, in the morning reality comes crashing back, with a vengeance; and deal with that you must. Reading the Dickens tales, the 'story' belies the stark reality of everyday life in those times; tough don't cover it, not even close and it was those realities everyday folk had to deal with.
“Look after the senses and the sounds will look after themselves”
So much for whimsy..Its much the same as Australian aviation has to– indeed, must – come to terms with the realities of its fragile existence. One of the stark realities is that the 'government' of the day and its Minister are deliberately and cynically removed from responsibility by mutual consent (and indecent haste). Fully isolated by a veritable army of disposable 'cut out' modules masquerading as a 'service to the public'. It is the best top cover any politician could wish for, paid from the public purse. But, to add insult to the fiscal injury, the minister when presented with inescapable 'fact' and unequivocal evidence, simply slides out of the spotlight and dumps the problem back onto the handmaidens and acolytes. They, in turn set about diluting the major issues into either a something of nothing; or, provide credible deniability through agency double speak – result, open, bare faced denial that there is any sort of 'real' problem'.
“You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are.”
But enough; it is Christmas time. Traditionally, a time of good will to all men etc.. But, I find it hard to have any of that 'good will' remaining after this year; not too much at all in fact. We have the almost cataclysmic collapse of the Air Traffic Service; held together, by the skin of it's teeth and the good will and work ethic of a dedicated crew. We have the artful, clever meaningless words the ATSB pad out important 'reports' with; when they are eventually published, achieving too little, too late, (or anything worthwhile): only just serving the obligations to convention, while providing top cover, on demand for the 'Authority'. Something to do with a MoU and 'directives'. As it is Christmas, and 'cussing' is discouraged; we may keep comment about the 'Authority' out of the mix; lest I completely 'loose it' and open that Pandora's box of misanthropic incompetence and bloody minded, self righteous twaddle and outright daylight robbery of the public treasury. For a 'nut-shell' study, if you are bored rigid by Boxing day; take a stroll through any of the P2 analysis relating to the Broome events and the 'crock wally' sleight of hand. Any careful analysis will reveal all that needs to be known but is not acted on. It is, in short M'lud, a ducking shambles of epic proportions – an expensive one at that. But enough....(for now)..
“Alice laughed. 'There's no use trying,' she said. 'One can't believe impossible things.'
It is tipping down rain at present; storms – the whole works. Pilots flying, ATC on duty, the ever faithful Fire, Rescue and ambulance services on deck; the police crew all: 'on duty'. Ever ready to weigh in when the proverbial hits the what's it. If you do nothing else this Christmas, spare a though and offer best wishes for those 'on duty' tonight. The 'services', the aircraft loaders, cleaners, re-fuellers; ground crew, the ever patient boys and girls behind the check in, the Customs, the security, those in kitchens making the sandwiches – plenty of good, decent folk working to make sure the 'holiday' season is enjoyed by those who can. Thank you and a merry Christmas to one and all from Aunty Pru and the houseboat crew..
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Aye well; mopped up as best I could the half inch of water blasted through the stable doors by the passing storms; barked at the ever playful pup, shouted at the cat, DT had enough sense to stay out of it. But no matter. On the bench sit the 'requested' items; a jewellery box of superb, old Rose wood glows in the lamp light; a set of kitchen steps in American oak; a blackboard trimmed with Mahogany on a stand; an easel made from recovered Baltic Pine and; my favourite, a small cabinet with a 'nest' of four small drawers within; it took about 40 hours to make and finish – but it looks a treat, Hell I even took a photo of it. That's it; a full week off for me now; who knows where my feet may lead me?
“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
Merry Christmas to one and all. Selah.........