On The Beach 

Another beautiful day on the beach today. Took some great shots with my phone and some very distinct shots of my 2 very tall friends. It's nice to live so close to the beach.

Give Me Shelter 

If anyone hasn’t watched last years 4 Corners episode “No Place To Call Home” by Louise Milligan about the Australia’s housing crisis; they should. The lack of available housing in Australia is a pathetic joke. For the past 26 years the LNP only agenda was to rack up the value of residential housing via their policies by hook or by crook. They know the poor has zero power and that’s why nothing has gone into public housing. Though with that we have sold our soul to the globalisation of residential housing like a stock market asset. It’s all about the money and leverage. Some are buying homes with laundered funds. The previous government did everything in its power to allow this to happen. Imagine doing a full time job and coming home to a tent or a dingy hotel room? Though we will probably get used to it soon. And the Albanese government wants to bring in 200,000 migrants this year to please big business. Shelter. A home, is a human right. Next time some smart arse tells you we live in “the lucky country give then the finger”.

 

2022 

2022

2022 hasn’t been all bad. A decent federal government was voted in government in Australia. Victorians got the election right. And the USA still has a stable and sane leader.

                                                                               

Things I have learnt this Year

 

When playing even if you didn’t realize you were batting, and someone starts bowling hand grenades at you. It’s best if you let it go through to the keeper. Especially if you already have a few runs on the board. Though one must spare a thought for their teammates as it could prove to be very dangerous. 

The Hare Test 

I think it's time that people in positions of power or leadership were made to sit for the psychological equivalent of the 'HARE TEST"  whether you  are a Teacher, a Police Officer a Priest or a Politician or hold a high position of power.

Love Serenade 

 

I’m saddened to hear the death of Australian Movie Director and author Shirley Barrett. Writer and director of one of my all time favorite Australian movies; “Love Serenade”.

Poetry in Motion 

                                                                         

I’d like to thanks those who accompanied me on the convoy from Brighton to the Ghetto last Wednesday night. It was one hell of a wild ride. So much fun wasn’t it? We must do it again. Twas a mary-dance and Poetry in motion I must say. it was almost like the tale about the Fox and the Brer Rabbit and the Briar Patch!

Solutions for Australia’s massive Housing Issue. 

 

Housing Solutions

 

1) We can still keep Negative Gearing though stop it after their 1st or maybe? their 2nd Residential investment property. 

 

2) Reinstate the full Capital Gains Tax or make them wait longer for their 50% discount to 4 years or so.Instead of the very short  12 months.

 

3) Stop handing out The people’s money for Government Home Loan Grants. Maybe some small amount for people earning  $50,000 or under a year. And maybe some Tax incentives.

 

4) And start taxing short-term holiday rentals like Airbnb much more.This would ease long term rental availability and cost of long term rental prices. Interestingly I have friend called Pommy Mark who said he couldn't wait to pay more tax for his Airbnb property. As he said his new adopted country has been so to good him. And he feels he need’s to give back to society that helped make him wealthy. A truly wonderful human being.

Post Election 

It’s taken me a couple of days to get over the election result. Still shocked; though it’s a great result. As I thought; it would never happen. Kudos to Morrison's and the  LNP 's speedy exit and handover.Our democracy is in good shape.

 

The Last Ditched Effort 

                                                                            

 

It appears uncertain and rusted on LNP /Morrison voters are suffering from a version of Stockholme Syndrome. They have become so mesmerized by the great Houdini’ Rabbit out of the hat Morrrison. He is one of the greatest actors of all time and he is up there with Anthony Hopkins. Though I’d feel much safer if he was up there on the stage and not running the country. Because if this government is given another term I feel we will be headed for a 1930s type depression. The economy is rockier than is being told. The Swaggies defined the early depression and the neo homeless are everywhere; as they are the collateral damage of 26 years of “The John Howard Extreme American Style Capitalism policies”; still playing out now. Fear and divisiveness is their greatest weapon and Scott knows how to work a room like all the great evangelistic thespians. Convincing working class contractors to vote for the LNP because they will pay less tax. And the massive legislated Morrison Tax Cuts for the wealthy will effect the economy going forward and they will likely raise the GST to rescue it; which mainly effects low income workers and the less well-off the most. Tax is a very dirty word for the LNP; though its really code for not governing for everyone. For they hate the poor. We are now living in the haves and have not’s class system. And the privatized trailer parks are coming very soon.

 

 Music Observations

 

My favourite singer song writers are Billy Joel, Sisto Rodriguez and Sting. 

My favourite Australian Jazz Musicians are Bernie McGann, Vince Jones and Smacka Fitzgibbon.

My favourite female singer songwriters are Carol King,Beth Nielsen Chapman and Nina Simone.

My favourite all time male singers are Dean Martin,George Michael and Donny Hathaway

My favourite all time female singers are Ella Fitzgerald,Anita Baker and Julie London

My favourite Rock Bands Santana,Bad Company,The Little River Band, before they sold their rights.

 

Best Jazz Musicians I have played with and their Instrument.

Best Double Bass Players would have to be Adam Spiegl and

 for Electric Bass it's the Master; Senor Jorge Alberquerque. 

And for the best Jazz Guitarist; it's an odd choice because this 

guy mainly plays Reggae though when I played with him and 

when he was on song there was no one better than Steven Silk.

And Kosta Glouzman is a creative genius on the piano.

                  Phil Hayter; I would rate very highly on the Alto Sax.

And for the best Piano Accompaniment player I performed with was Agus Batara.If I had to choose one. Though I have performed with many great Accompanists as previously mentioned.