Late last year I finished doing the Masterclass.com course by best-selling writer, Neil Gaiman. In it, he discussed a variety of issues and concept for young writers. Fun Fact 1: He called everyone starting out a young writer regardless of age, which frankly made this 46-year-old feel positively 18 again.
Quitting smoking is just one of the ‘habit changes’ I have on my 2017 to do list. There’s also quitting drinking, getting up off the couch, not spending money just because I have it and stopping comforting eating just because I’m sad.
While I’ve been unemployed I’ve chosen to use the time to tick a few things off my to-do list. Smoking; quit. Drinking; quit. That’s two things. According to an App I have to assist with quitting nicotine I’ve saved almost $4,000 since December 27th, 2016 when I threw away the full packet of Dunhill Blue, the green plastic lighter and, just to make life complete, the unopened 4-litre cask of cheap white wine.
This morning I woke up to news that a new letter had been sent to the Prime Minister of Australia requesting support for a Safe Schools style program. The idea is to replace the existing program with a national anti-bullying program after the Turnbull Government ceased funding of the initial Safe Schools program. The original Safe Schools program will continue being supported in the Labor-led States after the funding has stopped, but the Liberal-led States will be shutting it down.
Twenty years ago it was Asians who were soon to be flooding Australian streets. Today, it’s Muslims who will be enforcing Halal foods on unwary Australians. Muslims who will be introducing Sharia law to the country and forcing the women of Australia to be wearing Burkas. In the coming age painted by Pauline Hanson and her One Nation party Australia will either be a Caliphate or free of all Muslims. There is no room for middle ground when the rhetoric demands a sacrifice.
Look before I start let me make it clear. Everyone loves a tragedy. Shakespeare made a career spanning half a millennia out of writing some of the most heart-wrenching tragedies ever put to paper. Humans, as a species, seem compelled to get the popcorn and take a comfortable seat when someone else’s life is imploding. Perhaps it’s the distance from our own lives, or the Tall Poppy Syndrome the media love to talk about while tearing people apart. Whatever the reason tragedy sells papers and magazines, and ensures television ratings.
Back in the golden years of history, the role of leader was an easier one. If the Christian’s gave you trouble, throw them to the lions. War mongers had an easier time convincing their fellow leaders that the sub-humans (anyone not them) were easily taken over; their riches ripe for the picking.
Last night on Sky News, Peta Credlin, the former Chief of Staff to failed Australian Prime Minster Tony Abbott, made a blatant announcement that blind-Freddy had been expecting since 2013. Â In a move that shocked absolutely no-one at all Ms. Credlin announced Julia Gillard’s Carbon Tax was not actually a tax, just ‘brutal politics.’
Yesterday I joined the great wave of underemployed and unemployed Australians who are seeking financial assistance from the Australian Government to find a job.
Everyone knows the benefits of ditching the cigarettes. Hell, the negative consequences are published in graphic pictures all over the boxes, so if you don’t know the main benefit associated to smoking is to quit them you’re slower than I am.
Author of MM Romantic Fiction
Australian Horror and Suspense Author
Authors, Artists, Geeks, Husbands
recollections of one's travel
Writing in Shadows 