19th October

Internet Problems.
I’m still having network problems. After an early start yesterday, my network crashed. That’s with the new modem installed. I rang technical support (after doing all the usual things they tell me to do) and eventually they told me to pull the thing apart, disconnect everything, and leave it off for about thirty minutes, then ring them back. Nothing worked, so the technician said that the modem needed to be sent back. ‘‘Again?” I squeaked in agony. Another three weeks of isolation loomed. But I’m an optimist and kept trying to get the wretched thing up and running. No luck yesterday.
Today, ever the optimist, I turned on the unit and walked away. As I walked away, the virus protector informed me that it had just been updated. My day was made.

These problems led me to look for alternative network providers, and to find out what redress we have if we feel the service is not satisfactory.

I rang Mr. Katter’s office and his staff member was right on the ball. Very helpful and informed me that there is an ombudsman to regulate these services. The TIO number is 1800 062 058. Before you ring, make sure you have your contract and other documents handy.

Some historic dates for this week.
19th 1895 Banjo Patterson’s Man from Snowy River and other stories published in 1895.
20th Sydney Opera House officially opened 1973.
21st irrigation pioneer, William Chaffey born in Canada 1856.
AND
25nd the 1,000,000 Holden car rolled off the assembly line in 1962.

Recipe:
ROSELLA PICKLE.
Ingredients; Rosellas, vinegar, spice, peppercorns, chillies, salt and water.
Mode: Peel the fruit from the seed pod in as large pieces as possible. Throw them into salted water for five or six hours. Then boil the vinegar with some whole spice, peppercorns and bird’s-eye chillies. Put the fruit into jars or bottles and pour the vinegar over it when cool. Tie down and store away for a week or two.
The Antipodean Cookery Book, 1895.

Did you know?
Each king in a pack of playing cards represents a real leader.
Spades = King David.
Clubs = Alexander the Great
Hearts = Charlemagne
Diamonds = Julius Caesar

Perception—an interesting experiment.
The following is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. MetroStation, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a socialexperiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007,this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. Duringthat time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most ofthem on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged mannoticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stoppedfor a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.About 4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.At 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at hiswatch and started to walk again.At 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard andthe child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This actionwas repeated by several other children, but every parent - withoutexception - forced their children to move on quickly.At 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normalpace. The man collected a total of $32.After 1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no oneapplauded. There was no recognition at all.No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatestmusicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces everwritten, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, JoshuaBell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $200 each to sitand listen to him play the same music.This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. MetroStation, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a socialexperiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.This experiment raised several questions:* In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do weperceive beauty?* If so, do we stop to appreciate it?* Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musiciansin the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one ofthe most beautiful instruments ever made . . .How many other things are we missing as we rush through life? just because of the preprogrammed MIND - the product of the dead past. Contributed by Carole.