New Year Stuff

At this time of year, I tend to look back and try to think what historical turning points have happened. The one that comes to mind is dated 08/08/08 - the Georgian conflict. To me it marks the end of the relatively short historical period which I would characterise as "Unipolar", with the US as the only global police with teeth and some level of morality. It is back to a relative free-for-all in warfare, and in trade.

As far as domestic politics goes, I am not too impressed with the changes to the baby bonus system, even though personally I still get the same amount of money albeit at a considerably later date. My preference was for family payments to start *When a pregnancy is registered* both for the practical reason that you need to buy stuff for the baby before it is born, and that it moves more towards vision X by considering the unborn baby as a person, at the time that the mother considers it to be at the least. This is one of the most win-win of the steps towards vision X, and a new years resolution is to put it to the public somehow in 2009.

New Year Resolutions

I had been stumped for new years resolutions for years - so I asked my therapist (no really!). She made me realise that goals are good, and there was just a few simple guidelines about them. ie. they must be achievable, it had to be something I was interested in achieving, there should be just a hint of satisfaction or challenge about them, and that they can be given enough priority in the context of day to day activities. It came to me clear as day once I realised all this. I am resolving to join Townsville Brass. Whether I end up the conductor, become a soloist or just have a minor part in their second or third tier bands doesn't really matter. I've been away from it for so long (while people I knew when I was there over 15 years ago are still there), that it will have the "prodigal son returns" feel to it. I am looking forward to the first practice on the 24th of January.