Bloody Foreigners

Quotes - inspirational.

2009-12-09T18:56:00.001+10:30

"stupid is as stupid does"

2009-12-09T11:54:00.002+10:30

Police - getting a taste of their own medicine!

2009-12-09T11:45:00.001+10:30

"No" to Focusing … A Contrarian's View

2009-12-06T23:26:00.003+10:30

I Say "No" to Focusing … A Contrarian's View
By Chris King

For many years I have been told that to be successful I should focus. "Focus on one major goal." "Focus on one niche market." "Focus on one career." "Give each of these all of your attention, energy and investment of time and effort, and you will become a rich success." Well, I say, "No." If you have read any of my biography, you know that I maintain what I call, "A Portfolio Career." This is a combination of careers that also span a variety of niche markets and focuses. I use different skills and talents for each. There are times when I focus only on one. But, more often, I work on several of my areas of expertise within the same time period.

Yes, life can get hectic and sometimes overwhelming. However, I can promise you that I wake up every morning excited about the day - and I can't imagine what being bored even feels like. If you are like me and love the flexibility and variety afforded by multi-tasking (or think you would), then read on about the pros, the cons, and some of the ins and outs of having a "Portfolio Career."

I have a feeling that the majority of free agents, independent professionals and freelancers are already handling a "Portfolio Career," but may be feeling a bit guilty because they can't describe their services in ten words or less. Well, I have news. It is believed by career forecasters that before long people who work one full-time job will be in the minority. As management guru Peter Drucker puts it, "Corporations once built to last like pyramids are now more like tents .... You can't design your life around a temporary structure."

To become a portfolio person, we must stop thinking in terms of having or not having a job. We need to take control of our life, make flexibility our credo and develop a portfolio of skills and activities, some for sale and some to be given as gifts. A portfolio is a collection of different items, but with a theme. Rather than working for one company, you take on various projects and cultivate several clients. A successful "Portfolio Career" fits together bits of work in our life to form a balanced whole.

If you are having trouble convincing yourself that this might be the way to go for you, here are the PROs as I see them: Flexibility, Creativity, Change, Autonomy (being in control), Excitement, Achievement, Development of Expertise and Many Skills, Personal Freedom & Personal Growth, Pleasure Doing What One Likes, Risk Taking, Variety, Fast Pace, Leisure Time, Money, Emotional Health, Meaning, Continual Learning. Do these appeal to you?

On the other hand, if the following CONs are distasteful to you, reconsider, start focusing and move on: Risk, Change, Lack of Stability, Overwhelming When Deadlines Overlap, Fast Pace, Lack of Leisure Time, Lack of Money (or financial stability), Pressure, Other People's Opinions, Lack of Company Benefits and Lack of a Regular Routine.

There are different types of "Portfolio Careers:"

Working as an independent contractor for a specified length of time. And, then on to another career!
Working full time in one career, and adding on another or more part time careers.
Having a variety of part time careers.
I love the variety of having many part time careers. To give you an example. Presently, I teach eleven fitness classes every week; design. develop and maintain websites; do training and coaching of presentation, computer and storytelling skills; write for four websites and three e-newsletters; produce a monthly, printed newsletter; do professional storytelling; and am actively involved as a volunteer in several organizations. As I mentioned before, life can become a bit hectic and overwhelming at times, but I love the challenge. There are weeks when I do concentrate on and devote more time to a particular project (which is actually "focusing"), but I always have at least two or three different activities I am juggling at a time.

When should you consider a "Portfolio Career?" I suggest starting a "Portfolio Career" the minute you have any dissatisfaction with your present work life (or lack of work life), the minute someone offers you some opportunity (either for pay or for volunteer) that sounds interesting or fascinating, or when there are several career areas you would like to investigate. The key to making the portfolio life work is planning, knowing what you are good at and being able to take risks. Fill in any missing parts by volunteering, trying out new areas, taking classes, listening to tapes, researching and being honest with yourself.

Start making lists to help put together a portfolio career that would work for you! There is something about writing lists that always works for me. Try it and see if it works for you.

Work I enjoy:
What would I change:
My skills and talents:
My major accomplishments:
What motivates me:
My early ambitions:
My preferred work style:
Self-description in power words:
When Should I Add to My "Portfolio Career?" I add to mine when something I've always wanted to try is made available, and I feel that I can handle it without jeopardizing what I am already doing and "love."

When Should I Drop a Profession? I drop a profession when it has lost its excitement and joy. It is almost harder to drop something than to add a new opportunity. It has become a "habit" and "breaking habits is often harder than breaking bones." One of the other great advantages of the portfolio life is that with having plenty of professions, when one isn't working out, you can drop it without starving.

As you have probably realized by now, this isn't for everyone, but it might be fun for you to try. And, at least, the next time someone frowns and says, "You would be better off if you focused more," you can think of me, smile, thank them for the advice, then do what suits you and makes you happy.

Hogan's Heros - Sergeant Scultz.

2009-12-05T21:37:00.002+10:30

Peter Sarstedt - Where do you go to my Lovely - Peter Stardst

2009-12-05T21:16:00.002+10:30

Me and Bobby McGee -Janis Joplin

2009-12-05T21:10:00.000+10:30

Zaynab Hifni Talks about Women, Sex and Taboos in Saudi Society - TV Dubai

2009-12-03T01:03:00.003+10:30

2009-09-08T22:50:00.001+09:30

A Priest offered a lift to a Nun. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The Priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthy slid his hand up her leg. The Nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The Priest removed his hand. But, changing gears he let his hand slide up her leg again. The Nun once again said. "Father, remember Psalm 129?". The priest apologized"Sorry Sister but the flesh is weak." Arriving at the convent the Nun went on her way. On his arrival at the church the Priest rushed up to look up Psalm 129. It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."

Moral of the story: If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Go down to the fish market and look into the crab barrel. They never have to put a lid on it because if one crab starts to crawl out, the others will grab on to him and pull him down. That's what negative peer pressure does.

The time to make friend is before you need them.

Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

Remember that when you are standing on the edge of the cliff, the best way to make progress is to back up.

Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Forgiveness:

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting or condoning offences or reconciling with the offender..it means giving up the right to be angry. Shifting rigid personal "rules" for how people should behave to "preferences" and accepting that no adult can control another. Moving from blame to understanding ....and then moving on.

You have to stay in shape. My mother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She is 97 now and we have no idea where she is.

The ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence.

Do not walk behind me for I might not lead. Do not walk ahead of me for I might now follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just leave me the hell alone.

Do not follow my footsteps. I walk into walls.

It is always darkest before dawn. So if you are going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that the time to do it.

We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.

Sometimes the only thing I can change is myself...but sometimes that makes all the difference.

If the enemy is in range, so are you.

Regardless if there is such a thing as a heaven or a hell it is preferable to do good deeds.

When money speaks, the truth keeps silent.

Speak the truth, then leave quickly.

No matter how far you have gone down the wrong road, turn back.

Profit is profit. Even in Mecca.

Dear God: You do such wonderful things for complete strangers: why not me?

Anybody can become angry, that is easy. But to be angry with the right person and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose and in the right way...that is not within everybody's power. That is not easy.

Aristotle.

When you realize that you have made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

In disagreement with love ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

He is not a complete idiot...some parts are missing.

It is far more impressive when someone discovers your good qualities without your help.

Some people think that Golf is a matter of life or death. But it's far more important than that.

I still have my feet on the ground. I just wear better shoes.

Stupid people do not know they are stupid....so you cannot do anything about it.

2009-09-08T22:37:00.000+09:30

Stating the obvious -same country.

2009-09-08T22:29:00.000+09:30

Somebody should have paid more attention in class...

2009-09-08T22:25:00.000+09:30

Mr Magoo again.

2009-09-08T22:23:00.000+09:30

Same country -same problem.

Bloody Foreigners !

2009-09-08T10:11:00.000+09:30

I know that Australia is a celebration of diversity. Race, religion, culture, language, food…so many diversity which unites us all and yet I feel that there must be an understanding that while we tolerate diversity we need to respect each other space. For example there are fundamental expectations of how one is expected to behave in public.

It is very annoying to have to put up with loud chatter while riding on Public Transport. Time and time again that loud chatter is in a language foreign to me. Yesterday first on the bus I was subjected to the incessant and inane chatter of a group of Chinese teenagers – three to be exact – who find a necessity to hold a conversation at a decibel that could put an F1 race to shame. While the F1 spectacular does have the added attraction of those wonderful aerodynamically challenged cars these three Chinese youngster only managed to annoy me. Theirs was a conversation that went on at speed approaching ninety miles an hour with spit showering those too close to the action – at times punctuated with swear words which I recognized but did not fully understand. I could not understand the need to shout at each other when the three of them were within kissing distance of each other. There were with us from Goodwood right up to the Central Markets – virtually twenty minutes of annoying chatter that made me liked the Chinese a bit less.

Then it was on the trams. This time it was a lady from one of the African states – they all look the same to me. Again in a language possibly a bit more sing song and less annoying as that used by the Chinese but nevertheless intruding into my ‘sound space’.

Yes we celebrate our diversity but surely these bloody foreigners should be taught that good manners and common decency precludes such annoying habits as holding loud chatter on public transport. At times I resolve that I will not enter a bus or a tram where the possibility of that happening is totally eliminated – but friends there are too many of these bloody foreigners around for me to do that!

Coming home.

2009-09-03T21:44:00.000+09:30

All things considered Australia is one hell of a place! Having lived in Malaysia and London there was never any doubt in my mind that this would be the place to call home. Where exactly in Australia to call home has been a work-in-progress for the past thirty years – but most probably it would be a toss up between Perth and Adelaide. Possibly Adelaide would win out being closer to the rest of the other places of Australia. But as I said, it is a work-in-progress.

You must live in Perth to feel the attraction of the place. It is simply a vibrant city, which promises much, and it is up to you to make what you want of it. But its isolation from all things Australia tends to inhibits some people – including me. But that is I. Sydney was too big a place to enable me to develop any sense of belonging during the six months we were there and so it was back to Adelaide. Everything within twenty minutes of your reach – the city or any suburbs you care to go to. Maybe a bit more time might be needed now that traffic has become dense during the rush hours – morning and late afternoon – but no hassle no stress to get from Point A to Point B. That is Adelaide for you.

I have been away from Adelaide for close to ten years and the first thing that hit me when I got back was the bloody foreigners – so many of them greeting me. Asians and Africans. Well to be more exact it was the driver of the taxi that I took from the Airport to get to our place in Panorama. It was early morning (no planes into Adelaide before 6am!) and when I got to the taxi rank – all taxis there had Asian’s drivers. Never happened to me before in the time that I was here many years ago. I got in and settled into the back seat happy that I will be seeing my wife and son again after two years apart. The driver had some foreign/Indian songs playing on the radio or tape. That disturbed me because I am paying for the rent of the taxi and I wanted my peace. This was not to be and I suffered the music as best as I could at 7am in the morning. He again annoyed me when he only referred to his A to Z after two wrong turns into a dead end road. Patience I told myself. These new Australians are still trying to fit in.

And so I am home in Adelaide again after a long absence. There has been no change that I could see for myself when I went into town later that day for a look see of Rundle Mall. If I could go back in time it would not have mattered, Adelaide was essentially as I left it years ago. I have not changed. It is good to be home.

In the beginning..

2009-09-03T20:01:00.001+09:30

Bloody foreigners...they are everywhere and I am one of them! Came over to Perth thirty years ago and am pretty settled down now. There are so many things I want to write about, share and discuss with anybody that care to do so and have been thinking and thinking and thinking about starting a blog - and eventually did - today!

Just the act of starting this is a commitment of time, effort and hopefully the start of making acquaintances here and anywhere else that friends can be made - all of us calling Australia home! I know not where this will lead but I have begun....and the moving finger writes... as of today 3rd September 2009 - the third day of Spring here in Adelaide.