Friday - Tuesday, September 21 - 25 2012 (diary)

I remember getting up on the very first morning of this 21st century. I first turned on my computer to check whether everything still worked alright. And of course it did, no Y2K bug on my Mac computer.
I then went downstairs to my music studio (I was living in my home in Nambour at the time), sat behind the piano and within just a few minutes composed a new song (Hope). Yes indeed, I was full of hope for this new century.   But so far it has been an unmitigated disaster: 9/11, wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Bali bombing and other Islamic terrorist atrocities, the financial crisis, this recent stupid video, inciting more hatred and violence.
It goes on and on... ignorance, stupidity, greed, intolerance all reign supreme!

The world, it appears, is in a period of regression on many fronts even in art. For example: CDs from artists from 50-60 years ago are comfortably outselling what is being produced right now.   It supports my strong held view that unless you have a firm grasp of the skills and knowledge of your craft, whatever produced is little more than a meaningless, short-lived fad.
I am just grateful to be well away from it all, doing my daily walks amongst beautiful flowers and birds, living in a near paradise. But it does bother me. A turnaround to more positive times will undoubtedly come at some time, but it looks at present still a long, long way off.

Wednesday - Sunday, September 26 - 30 2012 (diary)

The weather is finally starting to change.
After 5 months of continuous blue skies and bone dry weather we had our first rain this Sunday morning. Quite widespread and a descent burst too : 25 points (2.5cm, 1 inch).
The grey overcast skies are also good for my daily exercises, as it will not be so hot anymore to do my mid-day walks.

The Bees Creek bridge adventure looks like becoming a non-event which is disappointing. Despite extensive advertising in papers and around the area I have had only one enquiry so far. It looks like my misgivings about this area were correct. The people here are more outdoor types, active in their large (5-20 acres) gardens and not inclined to much mental activity.

My monthly Intermediate Bridge lessons at the Casuarina Club however (I conducted one this Sunday) are progressing well, which is most pleasing. A stable group of players are attending my sessions regularly and enjoying the experience. They make good progress too and are steadily improving their standard of bidding and play.