Still here in Oz

I haven’t blogged lately and I haven’t missed it. I have not felt the need to blog and am having a hard time coming up with topics to write about. I no longer feel the need to highlight social or political topics happening in Oz. I have lost interest in those topics.

All places have problems; some are the same the world over:

Violence: In Toronto it’s guns, in Melbourne it bashing’s

Public transport: An overburden on the system and not enough money for infrastructure to support the increase in people using it

Climate Change: Government and business not doing enough because of its effect on the economy and livelihood of people

Government: Not doing the things we want of a government

Not much has really happened over the past month. I have just been working and living day to day. Maybe that’s why I am not blogging, because it’s just regular life that’s happening. It can happen anywhere in the world. Once the newness and excitement of a place wears off and it becomes second nature what is there to write about.

Is this the end of Navman’s Adventures down under ?

I don’t think so. Christmas and summer time down under is fast approaching and I am sure there will be many things happening then.

Also next year I have another vacation planned, a smaller 2 week trip to New Zealand.

50KM Bike Ride

On the weekend I did participate in the 50KM Around the bay bike ride. It was part of several rides held on Sunday. The longest being the 250 and 210KM rides along with a 100KM and an 80KM school ride. The 50KM ride was enough for me this year. The hardest part was going over the West Gate Bridge freeway. It was a gradual incline to get to the top and it really worked me hard. The best part of any hill is the way down and it felt great to just back and cruise down the other side.

The day was overcast, grey and cool. It was only after the ride and back home did the sun come out with warmer temperatures. Will I do it again next year ? Not sure! Last year we did the Melbourne romp on the same weekend maybe it will be time to try some different yet again.

Stephen Harper now known around the world

A speech from 2003 has come back to haunt the PM of Canada, Stephen Harper. It has been revealed by the Liberal party that a speech he gave on the Iraq war was taken from then PM of Australia, John Howard.

The news has spread all across the globe and made news in places such as Taiwan and New Zealand. The story is getting the most press in Canada and Australia.

The speech was written by Mr. Harper’s former speech writer, who was working in the current election campaign as an aide. He has now resigned over the incident.

Yesterday morning on my way to work, one of the youth radio stations in Australia was having fun with the news. They had a call in segment where callers could take items from Canada because the speech was taken from Australia. Callers called and wanted the Big Beaver statue in Alberta, Pamela Anderson and Celine Dion to put her on trial for crimes against music :)

This has been a gift for the Liberal party during the Canadian election; as the Liberal party has not been able to generate any fanfare for their party. This incident has created 2 days of attack on the PM and Conservative party.

As a Canadian living in Australia it’s quite a musing to hear on the radio and see on TV the news about this story.