Some advice for farmers

A song heard on the radio yesterday;

"Ladies, save a horse - ride a cowboy"

Something there for all of us...

Driving

I tell you whut, there is nothing I like better than a long drive. Road trips are a real turn on for me. Packing the car, forgetting stuff, hot jams on the stereo, booking last minute accomodation - to me its all good.
And it helps that I live on one of the most sparsely populated continents in the world (Antarctica being the other).

For me its the thrill of the open road, its watching the country zoom by and most of all its doing it while other people are at work. Perhaps its a Gemini thing but give me a full tank of petrol and point in a compass direction and I am as happy as a pig in mud.
Take yesterday, drove to and from Sydney, now for me thats a 6 or 7 hour round trip (allowing for traffic at either end) and I know that road extremely well. In my mind I can replay each kilometer quite clearly. The changes in the light during the different times of the day and the different seasons. I know almost all of the little towns along the way. They each have their own character and charm, I love the little village atmospheres.
What I also enjoy is cruising through the radio channels for local stations. In one section (about 50 kms south of Mittagong up to about 20kms north of Bowral) is a community radio station with focus solely on Country music in 'all its genres'. Here was I thinking there are only 2.

The longest continual drive I've managed (to date) is 800kms in one day is the Barossa Valley SA to Canberra, 18 hours. I've driven all over the East Coast of Australia, from Melbourne to Cairns and I love it. I'd do it again and more if I had the time. Pack a tent, sleeping bag, some food and the fishing rods.

Conversation

Have a look at this LINK
Its an essay on the art of conversation with regards to middle aged men and women. For the most part to me it seems to fall on the side of women interesting, men boring. It does sight an example of the stimulating conversation one could expect - TOPIC: Lipstick, ref Colour.
You have to be kidding me...

In my opinion the art of conversation is the art of exploring the common interests or unique passions of another person. I love to hear about something that something, that one passion that fires someone up (exception, AFL). To me I am fascinated by getting a glimpse of what makes someone tick. You get to see a part of their inner self.
But to me conversation is also and act of harmony, there are people with which you'll just hit it off, there are people you need to work with and then there are those rare individuals for whom you have nothing in common.
its all about the variety of life and society. I for example can't stand that mock sport AFL. It does nothing for me. But to talk with someone who has a passion for it, well its courteous to listen - you might learn something for the trivia file (probably not, but ...). The trade off, again in my opinion, is that person gets to hear about my thoughts etc. Sometimes this digresses into a dick measuring contest, but usually it can be a great way to try another topic or direction.

I guess what bugs me the most about the perspective of the essay is the decision that somehow a conversation with a women is more stimulating than a conversation with a man. to my mind given the situations described in the essay it would be hard for guys to get a decent conversation. All the situations described are women meeting other women with men in tow. Its not for the benefit of the guy, he's been brought along on a 'play date' with other men.
Ofcourse he shuts up, given the choice between spending free time with your mates or going on a socially orchestrated play date, which would anybody choose?

Perhaps I'm being too cranky. But as someone who gets paid to meet strangers and establish relationships, conversation is an art. An art as important as courtesy and good manners.

Have a read of the essay and decide for yourself.

Thoughts after a game of Soccer

Just played my Sunday game of soccer (the Sat game is on hiatus while French class is on). To be honest while we lost 2 nil, I'm not happy because it was a bit of a dirty match. The guys on the other team were playing aggressively. Making hard tackles on the girls on our team (which is against the spirit of the league) and hard tackles on the boys.
Well they did until I responded by knocking over one of their guys as we both raced for the ball. Ref said it was boderline, but I knew it was deliberate - I knocked the guy off his legs and sent him 2 or 3 feet back. It calmed the match down (which was what I was hoping for and calmed the guys on our side, who were getting ready for a bit of biff).
But it was wrong and I feel bad for reacting.

A New Poll

Have been messing about with the survey/poll system that Blogger uses.
Its been a lot of fun.
But saw this on LOL cats. The ultimate poll question for any household...

Getting back on the Bike

I did two rides over the weekend and I learnt 2 things.
Firstly I learnt that I haven't on my bike for some time and secondly that riding regularly makes a difference.

The first ride was about 28kms and I was shagged by the end of it. I mean the real jelly knees scene and everything. It wasn't all that long ago I would have shrugged off such a ride but then again it wasn't all that long ago I stopped/forgot going for rides.
The good news is my fitness level will return with more practice. Which is going to come in handy for ski season.

A year in the Life

Movie Review; 'Sex and the City'

(featuring special guest star Heather Locklear)

I wish... (come back season 7 all is forgiven) Well this is one franchise that Aaron Spelling couldn't own nor insert his hideously deformed daughter into, you know the one with the deep down awfulness, the kind the doctors just can't get rid of.
Which of course begs the question why there wasn't a Melrose Place movie...

But there is a 'Sex and the City' movie and I think it only fair to insist that any assessment of the merits of the film must incorporate the TV series. Which in turn begs the question why an actual movie and not a telemovie? I don't know the answer, but its here now and we should deal with it.
Heralded as the ultimate chick flick it follows the lives of the 4 main characters, 5 years after the end of the TV series, across 12 months in New York. Truly a year in life movie, which would only work with strong characters. Thankfully a 10 year run on TV has helped to cement the ensemble cast.

So from a guys perspective what is there to like? There are no car chases, no ninjas, explosions, jet planes with rocking soundtracks or Samuel L Jackson. On paper then, this movie is behind the 8 ball (no pool halls either)(plenty of fashionable restaurants and gay chaps though).
But here is what it has a the plus side, really great characters. I like a good movie with strong character development. In this film we don't necessarily see character development per see, but we do see 4 people who the audience have gotten to know very well. I myself have only begun to watch the TV series (who knew?) and already I want to kick Big's arse for his gutless behaviour.
Giving all us handsome dudes everywhere a bad wrap... for shame!

In summary I did enjoy this film, it ended on a note of hope and harmony. I think the journey there was a mixture of strong story lines and perhaps some weaker ones. But you know what, thats okay.

I give Sex and the City 4 ninja stars; ****

ps Went to an early session with my beloved, when we got out of the theatre I was the only guy for about 30 metres past the queue waiting to get in!!!