beyond big pink

geographies: Bahrain

remry

That deaf, dumb &
blind kid sure
plays a mean pinball.

I should have listened to myself,

seven years ago.

"What I really think is getting at me is that I am no longer stimulated by Rockhampton. I've explored it as far as I can. I went to a concert on Friday, in the local municipal theatre. Enjoyed it, but the sound was designed for a larger venue, was overwhelming in the context; & that is almost a summation of my vexation.

"In retrospect it was the re-settlement period, the transition from big city to small city, that kept me agile. But now I am settled in, & I look around, I find I am living in a bigoted, racist, country-music loving, redneck environment."

Pelican Dreaming, 12/13/04.

after Livy

At the time

I was growing up, this 1946 tobacco ad


was fairly standard.

Now, with legislation passed in the Federal Parliament, Australia is moving to this


as standard packaging, provided the big tobacco companies don't manage to have the laws overturned as they embark on a multi-million dollar legal challenge.

Bit too late for me. I've just commenced a stopsmoking regimen, brought on by my recently being diagnosed with emphysema—or COPD (chronic obstructive pulomary disease) as they like to put things acronymically these days. The disease is irrepairable. My lung capacity is down to 53%, will deteriorate even further if I keep on smoking until I will only be able to get around with the help of an oxygen cylinder. However, stopping smoking will inhibit any further deterioration, & the use of a range of bronchial dilators will ease some of the symptoms.