Hot Trip to Broken Hill

Good friend Paul rode down to South Australia from Queensland last summer. On a whim we decided to ride back to Broken Hill with him, stay the night and return home. It was a very hot 2 days, over 40degrees as we passed through Olary. The top photo taken at the Silverton Hotel is about 25km from Broken Hill. In the picture you can see the black Ford Falcon used in a Mad Max Movie. The movie was filmed around the Broken Hill area and if you watch the movie you will recognize the scenery. I love the picture of Paul giving me the "bird" as we are riding side by side on the Barrier Highway. Was there any RoadKill, yes you could smell it even if you couldn't see it on the roadside.........hot decomposing flesh.

The Making of Steinway L1037

On Sunday I accidentally caught a fascinating programme on ABC1 called "Note By Note - The Making of Steinway L1037". This documentary was about the making of a Steinway Grand Piano (#L1037) and you follow the process from timber selection to every step through the factory, until it is sold. Several things struck me about this story. I didn't know how much work was involved with the making, it took almost 12 months to complete one piano. The people that work in the factory are all crafstmen that are proud of their work, many have been there for most of their working life. Everything is put together by hand, and moves through each stage with precision and accountability. The ownership of the pianos is shown by each and every person through each step of the process. All the people I saw working on the product looked like they loved their jobs, which is rare these days. The attention to detail and finish was superb. I was also amazed to learn that each and every instrument had a sound of their own, all depending on the wood selected, the way it's assembled and the individual sound from each sound board. It is great to see there is still companies that operate on this level. I now look at the piano that stands accross this very room with a different light. I should take off a few panels and study the workings. Steinway suggest a piano be tuned 3 to 4 times a year. Our piano hasn't been tuned for 40 years at least.........but it still sounds okay for "Chop Sticks".

Something to consider

Society puts many severe restraints in our paths and there are those that refuse to conform to these constraints. The non conformers are tolerated for a time until society needs scapegoats then it does not matter if the non conformers are guilty or not. Because people that do not conform make easy targets for blame.

People come into your life for a Reason

People come into your life for a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime. When you know which one it is for a person, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learnt to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant.

Three things that have taken me 50 years to learn

When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that individual is crazy.

There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age 11.

The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.

Feeling cold and miserable........

Sit, relax and stare at this cosy picture for a while

Thought for the day......

Only a Biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.