RIP Stumpy

Last night our little Aussie battler slipped away to fishie heaven. Just yesterday afternoon he was happily chomping on bloodworms and generally cavorting about his domain, happily wiggling his little tailless form about the place.

During the evening Lovely Leslie noticed The Stumpster doing some stunt swimming, upside down, then a rather odd nose down pirouette, then nothing.

We isolated him overnight but this morning he was gone, so still, just like the fish you see in down at the Ulladulla Fishermens Co-Op.

This little guy had adapted to life as a disabled fish, he had his fins and tail eaten off by a bully-fish. Once we removed that source of conflict he seemed to blossom, his fins grew back but the tail never did. He was an odd looking little guy but always seemed cheerful, wiggling around, eating heartily, getting on well with the other little fish in the tank.

So, cheers Stumpy! Thanks for the fun! It's a shame we have to toss you into the bin but at least you were wrapped up nicely.

Watching NSW Labor Self Destruct

Isn't it fascinating to watch the implosion of NSW Labor.

I can't wait for election day in March 2011 and see them turfed out onto Macquarie Street, all their bongos and boxes stacked up around them and haul their sorry arses into the oblivion they so richly deserve.

Once upon a time, not all that long ago, I was a Labor man through and through. As much as I hate to admit it, I was also involved in the union movement. Looking back I just can't understand what came over me! Maybe it was the angry young man syndrome, all set to take on the world, sort right from wrong, power to the people, bring justice to the oppressed working masses. There's no way now that I could support this train wreck of a party and its industrial wing.

Each time I see the talking heads on TV sprouting their glib cliches I just want to spew. Only the anticipated uproar from my darling partner, were I to soil her clean house, stops me.

Every time I see union heavies whining and banging on with their crap I feel like putting a brick through my 55 inch LED. I'm going out to Clark Rubber to buy some foam rubber bricks for my TV's sake! As an aside, does anyone know who that nasty Scotsman from the ETU is? He's a shocker, he should be timewarped back to Thatcher's Britain.

The Labor of yesteryear has long since died. They were the times you could be proud of the ALP and what it stood for. Legends like Curtin, Chifley, Whitlam and Hawke. The likes of Gillard, Rudd, Keneally and Co aren't worthy to even clean Ben Chifley's boots.

Those that know these things are predicting a massive defeat for NSW Labor. If it comes to pass, as it surely will, Labor have only themselves to blame.

In the aftermath the finger pointing will be a classic study of denial and sloping shoulder syndrome. They're all coated in teflon (registered trademark).

Bring it on I say! Bring it on!

Child support debts threaten parents' holidays

Child support debts threaten parents' holidays - ABC News website

Saw this article and it made my blood boil, not to mention bring back many unhappy memories

Mind you, the following is all my own humble opinion based on my experiences. I acknowledge there are scumbags out there who either evade the system with impunity, or equally milk the damn thing for all it's worth.

So, here goes ...

The Child Support Agency ranks second to the Australian Taxation Office as a bunch of c***s. The lump of granite that passes as their coporate heart is unflinching. Not only do they have no heart, they lack common sense, intelligence and basic human characteristics. I'd be surprised if they breath, eat, piss or shit. Perhaps they don't.

So when I come to the part in the article where Comrade Plibersek makes her stupid statement "if parents have an outstanding debt they can ring the Child Support Agency and talk through their options" I could only laugh. What a load of horse shit! You will get no where. There are no options other than bend over, part your cheeks and receive the pineapple rough end first. Being a scabby, tight fisted federal department they can't afford lube as they would have spent most of their corporate budget on staff development courses and other essential public service activities unrelated to actually serving the public.

You may think I am a bitter and twisted individual. Correct! I am! I suffered with these pricks.

I paid my dues every week, I never missed a payment, I wanted to assist my children to the best of my ability (r) ability. At the same time I was going through a rough financial patch. These bastards screwed me over big time. They would not listen, they were the most stupid people I had the misfortune to interact with up to that time in my life (subsequently Telstra call centres have taken the crown!) I lived like a frigging dog. Eventually I went bankrupt.

In all fairness CSA weren't the only financial burden that caused my bankruptcy and I accept responsibility for the poor decisions that assisted me in getting to that stage, but CSA did not make things any easier.

The day your children reach their majority and start earning for themselves is the day you can turn around, with your anus still stinging from the removal of large, rough skinned tropical fruit and give them, the CSA, the finger with a very hearty and loud salutation to go and take a right royal flying fuck and get the hell out of your life.

I have not had contact with CSA since 2006 and never will again. For those that are currently in the system, you have my sympathy.

On a closing note, for those scumbags not paying their maintenance, who make life difficult for the honest dads - you are low-lives, not even worthy of being pond scum. Pond scum floats on the surface, you are down on the bottom, among the duck shit and old tyres and tin cans.

I feel better now.

Peace.

PS: The term used throughout that article - "parent" - is trendo public service speak for "father", has anyone ever heard of a woman being done over by CSA?

How wrapping a cat for Christmas doesn't always work!

We saw someone wrapping a very patient cat in christmas paper on YouTube so gave it a bash.

Didn't work!

Beware The Crazy Eyes!

I had an unnerving experience with a lunatic in Fyshwick this morning.

Some may be aware of my washing machine woes of late and my need to move three of the beasts around. Having left my nifty red trolley safely in the shed at Ulladulla (which is clever) I zipped around to Supercheap Auto in Fyshwick.

I was exiting with my new $16 red trolley (how can they make these things so cheap! Pump up tyres and all!) when a ute pulled up and a guy got out. Seeing my ute, he must have thought I was a fellow traveller because he approached me in a manner that suggested we shared a bond. I come across a lot of people in my line of business, most of whom never want to acknowledge me in public so I thought it was a refreshing change.

As the bloke drew nearer I thought maybe this was a case of mistaken identity. Suddenly, without warning, right there in Supercheap's carpark and in the pouring rain he began a tirade. It's hard to recollect exactly what he was saying but I do know that the main thrust of the whole ridiculous rant was about the inadequacies of modern cheap BBQ burners and how it was all a plot to sell more LPG.

Initially I humoured him but I was becoming wet and worried. I have seen crazy eyes before and his were A Grade Nutter crazy! It was like looking into a black pit of insanity or worse! Maybe even the eyes of Beelzebub himself.

Moving slowly, so as not to spook the horses, keeping myself between him and my car, I bravely advised him he was in the wrong place for BBQ accessories. Flinging my trolley into the ute I leaped into the cab. As I was frantically lighting the fires I could hear him either abusing me or thanking me in a very loud, maniacal shriek.

Gunning the trusty VZ toward the carpark exit I could see his rage contorted face mouthing obsenities in my direction as he headed into the auto parts shop full of poor unsuspecting innocents. I hope everyone was okay. There were no gunshots or sirens heard in the hour or so following.

The above is true, albiet a little tounge in cheek. What concerns me though is this guy's wandering the streets, driving a motor vehicle, interacting with innocent civilians, maybe even breeding or voting.

How can it be!

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Teetotaler

Maybe a month ago I had a unique experience that was of great import. DenMother (aka @lesliedupreez , aka Leslie to her real world friends) myself and delightful lady friend of ours attended a wedding. The fact we were at an event such as a wedding was significant enough, but there was another reason for the occasion to be memorable. As I was sitting in the chapel watching the beautiful couple exchange vows I realized with a jolt that this would be the first wedding I have attended, as an adult, where I would remain stone cold sober.

In the past I looked forward to a wedding as an ideal opportunity to “hit the piss” at someone else’s expense, hook in there with a gusto and enjoy it to the max. Lots of yahooing, crazy dancing (ever seen the episode of Seinfeld where Elaine does her thing?), getting into an argument with your own spouse and being driven home. Next day invariably would be the nightmare, sore head, sensitive eyes, breath like a brewery horse’s fart. The whole day wasted as you gingerly began the recovery process, hopefully knocking over a cold one by lunch time, thereby being in proper nick by dinner!

Most people who know me are aware that I have been on the wagon now for some time. I know exactly how long, 4 years as of Melbourne Cup Day 2010.

Wow! The changes, tears and pain that have been expended during that period are difficult to explain. Still, 4 years later here I am, in one piece, feeling pretty good for someone who’s leaped over the 50 year barrier, in reasonable nick and hopefully will be so for quite some time to come.
People are wary, with good reason, of those that beat drums of various tones, be it religious, political, anti-smoking or tee totaling. I honestly don’t think I have stood in the way of anyone’s enjoyment of alcohol during my ongoing abstinence although it’s hard being in the company of people who are drinking when you are afflicted by the demon of alcohol addiction. The smell is incredibly distinctive, I can smell an open can or bottle a mile away and to me now it is plain horrible.

What’s the point of these musings? Good question!

Maybe it’s a crazy online version of AA, acknowledge my weakness, shore up my spirit and hope that someone may gain from hearing my little tale of woe. In fact I did attend a few meetings of AA and a more confronting experience I have yet to come across. Having said that, I stopped going after a while, somehow I managed under my own will power, something that many in AA say can’t be done.

What I do know though is that without my loving partner, the aforementioned Den Mother, I would never have embarked on this radical journey, let alone stick it out! I needed an impetus to get rolling and loving support to keep the momentum going. It was tough, it was nasty, but we got there in the end!

Since being able to stand back and observe, I do believe that alcohol has Australian society firmly in its grip, particularly the young. There are powerful alcohol industry lobby groups pressuring governments to make consumption of this evil chemical easier to obtain over a greater time span, In the name of all that’s holy, why does a pub or club need to be serving intoxicating beverages at 3am or later?

Something really needs to be done and done fast! Sadly, I don't think it ever will.

Reflecting on my own journey I have to say to Leslie, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To those who are able to drink with restraint and in moderation, I take my hat off to you!

Stumpy's World

I couldn't resist trying the waterproof feature out on the Kodak Play Sport video cam. Bit shaky, as you'd expect considering the camera was attached to a piece of coat hanger wire.