BRISTOL: "An albatross around his neck, with much huffin and puffin, he soon put paper back in front of the masses," PL Inkletter coolly noted, drily.

Be all that as it may, meanwhile:

'In other news…'

21^st September 2010

Tuesday: Late last night I registered online to be an organ donor, after watching Tracy Bowden's report, in which Mark Colvin was featured, on the low organ donor rates in Australia, on Kerry O'Brien's 7.30 Report. The online page advised me that my new application appeared to be a duplicate, and asked me to phone to clarify matters. And in the middle of the night I did, to learn that yes, I have long been registered.

I was uncertain, because donkey's years ago I had my status as an organ donor on my driver's licence, only to have that system scrapped here in W.A. Anyway, the friendly nurse informed me that I re-registered in 2002. She confirmed my understanding that, unfortunately, despite my registered intention, next of kin can still block my wishes after my death. And so, registering that I want to be an organ donor when I cark it if they're of any use, then being contingent on the okay of my next of kin, seems a bit redundant to me, to say the least.

Speaking of last night, it was great to see Ticky Fullerton return, with her undeniable journalistic skills and intelligence, after some week's absence, to Lateline Business; however, she did exactly what Ali Moore did, or strictly speaking, didn't do, when she returned from an absence: back in May, Ms Moore returned to the chair after many weeks away, during which time Whitney Fitzsimmons had filled her position, but neglected to make any mention of her service; last night Ms Fullerton neglected to make any mention of Brigid Glanville, who had filled her position. These lapses, for that's what they seem to be to me, are missed opportunities to be gracious, regardless of the quality of the job the replacement has done. I am slightly puzzled as to why ones of the stature of Ms Fullerton and Ms Moore would not have done this.

I didn't manage my walk last night, although I would have enjoyed it and I somewhat needed it.

I was dead tired as per usual, and dragged myself up at the crack of one (p.m. that is!), and helped Janny clean the place up for our special guests for dinner and my training tonight, Reeve Chocson and his business partner and friend, Meynell the Humble. Our guests arrived by six, and we broke bread, a wonderful meal on short notice by the greatest cook in Australia, Janny Inkletter.

The training to which I referred? Reeve observed Meynell the Humble who gave me one-on-one training with Photoshop Elements, for a couple of hours. These fellows are going to be training professionally with one-on-one courses, and I was the benificiary of their early development of the course they are designing. I am very grateful to be the guinea pig, because anything to do with Photoshop has always been too arcane for me on my lonesome.

Reeve had to depart by nine, and Meynell the Humble stayed and chatted with us after my training wrapped up, for another hour and a half. It was nice to get to know him better.

After our guest left, Lateline was just starting: The (Leigh) Sales Graph: Leigh Sales, as usual, looked consummate in her dark jacket and bisque ruffled blouse combination, subtle-effect makeup and convex flaring hair style, and with but tiny pearl earrings her only concession to jewellery.

Leigh Sales' enjoyment from interviewing one of the Independents in Federal Parliament was evident

Her long interview guest was Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, who also as usual, looked tired (maybe not, but his bags under his eyes – like my own – always give that impression), but was smartly attired in a dark jacket and pale textured shirt with a very conservative dark striped tie, to put a ring of sombreness to the main subject discussed: pokie machine gambling.

Despite the serious subject, Senator Nick Xenophon was like a breath of fresh air from amid the morass of Canberra politics

There is so much comparitive refreshment when our independent politicians are interviewed. I for one cannot get enough of these interviews; these politicians usually tell it like it is, and their integrity glows from their pores.

Ms Sales gave us a sweet moment after some disarming modesty from Mr Xenophon: "I think my thoughts are largely irrelevant. I think that ... (concerning who should be the Speaker of the House of Representatives)"

Ms Sales: "That doesn't stop many politicians!"

I found this a really good interview, and I hope we are treated to many more from this combination of Ms Sales and Mr Xenophon. It beats the crap out of the predictable output of the typical Labor-Coalition divided politicians.

I mustered the energy very late – around 4 a.m. – to go for a badly needed walk, and while it was rather tiring, I got a psychological boost.

+paytontedwithlove+

FOUNTAINBRIDGE: "Never say never again," advises Payton L. Inkletter, "unless shaking really does stir you too much, or Mum & Dad tell you otherwise."

Be all that as it may, meanwhile:

'In other news…'

25^th August 2010

Wednesday: Did I speak yesterday of day night day blurring? Yes I did, and ditto for today. I was so involved with producing the latest blog entry that it was around 8 in the morning before I got to slip between the low thread count polycottons. I chatted to and annoyed Janny for a little while, then she got up and soon was off to her Dianella Spinning Group for the first time in quite a few weeks, due to the interposition of her break at Balingup and the assistance for a couple of weeks to The Dear Leader to prepare for his house inspection.

And so I dragged myself up when Janny returned at half one and went like a relative whirlwind (for me!) to get ready to take Bob swimming. I left about ten to three, almost a world record for me in recent years. I hadn't seen Bob for a week, and he was keen to go walking before his swim, and so we strolled the riverside from Woodbridge to Viveash for an hour and a bit. The temperature was cool, the day fine and sunny, and it felt like being in paradise.

Up at the Viveash end, at Reg Bond Reserve precisely, we saw two women walking with the longest of hair. The one had hair to her waist, while her walking partner had brunette hair to below the back of her knees. I was almost spellbound, given my adoration of long hair on women. Our paths didn't spontaneously cross in the two near encounters we had, but I wish they had, for I wanted to speak to them and share my admiration, as carefully and fragrantly as possible, lest they took it wrong. Bob was oblivious, but then he only has one eye…

I can only imagine the work the longer haired woman must have on a daily basis to care for her crowning glory, unless she has assistance.

At the pool at Swan Aquatic I finished my second reading of Anne Enright's The Gathering. This is possibly the only fiction book I've ever read twice, and definitely the only one I've read back to back. And I have a strong feeling that I'll read it a third time sometime. I have been swept away with Anne Enright's achievement with this book; her mastery of writing is magnificent, while her grasp of human relations and the human condition is strong. There is a magic in reading great literature, a transportation from the ordinary to the extraordinary, even when the subject matter happens to be ordinary.

I was pretty tired when I got back after 8 this evening, having got petrol and money on the way home. Janny fed me, bless her gorgeous self, and then I settled in with Cadbury asleep on my lap to watch Aunty all night before Letterman.

Lateline: The (Tony) SilverToes aka Tojo (Jones) Assay: Tony Jones never fails to look resplendent when he fronts the Lateline cameras, and while his grey tie on a white shirt within the ambit of his dark pinstriped suit was rather conservative for him, at least his tie had a sheen, and his shirt collar points were the long and attractive type.

Sartorially as resplendent as always, Tony Jones brought us interesting interviews with Senator Nick Xenophon and MHRs Adam Bandt and Bob Katter

 Mr Jones brought us two very interesting interviews tonight, the first by phone with Bob Katter, Independent MHR, the second with newly elected Greens MHR Adam Bandt and Independent Senator Nick Xenophon.

Nick Xenophon lends his support for a less partisan democratic model for Australia in his interview with Tony Jones

Adam Bandt kept some of his powder dry during his interview with Tony Jones

How refreshing to hear a new style of politics coming from politicians who are more interested in substance than spin. This new evenly balanced situation in federal parliament may prove to be the best thing to have happened to our nation politically in a very long time. I am buzzing with the presentation of the refreshing ideas to make our parliamentary government actually grow up substantially and work more effectively for the good of our people. I won't hold my breath that it will happen, or if it does, that it will last for long, but it is a very hopeful sign.

Is there anything more boring than listening to a diehard Labor or Liberal politician spruiking themselves and gutsaching about the other side? What an invigorating change to have the likes of Katter, Windsor, Oakeshott, Xenophon, and even Bandt (I say 'even' only because he is beholden nevertheless to a highly ideological party, the Greens) speaking to us about lifting standards of governance. And the contrast is driven home when on the same night we see on the news the old school style still entrenched by the likes of Gillard and Abbott. I think Julia Gillard has more credibility than Tony Abbott when she indicates that she is prepared to try a new and more mature style, but then only eating the pudding will tell.

+paytontedwithlove+