Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Year Truly Begins

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As usual my day starts with breakfast taking in some music videos, but this week is different. It’s after Australia Day, schools back (not that this matters to us, our children are well past that) and everyone is back from the beach. The morning traffic indicates the business year has reached its true starting point.

It’s hard for my overseas colleagues to understand, but from mid December until after Australia Day it’s holidays.

The country really does stop. Business shuts with at best skeleton staff on, Restaurants take a few weeks off . Even emails drys up! It’s a time for the beach, watching the cricket, catching up with friends, that’s what this time is all about.

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Across these few weeks it’s easier to find business colleagues at Victor Harbour ( that’s why we prefer Second Valley) our major beach holiday town than it is in Adelaide.

Whilst people tend to return to work after New Year they will take a day off here or there, leave early ( why not its hot and the beach or pool is calling!)) so achieving much beyond that which was on board before Christmas is often difficult.

That’s all different from today. No more excuses, time to get down to it and I’m looking forward to it.

No News is Good News

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I decided in late 2012 that I would have a news sabbatical. It was a time when the Australian political situation was at an all time low, just depressing every time I turned the Radio or TV on. It was worse when I read a Newspaper!

I decided it’s Christmas, Summer and I wanted to enjoy the holiday break. For me “No news was going to be Good News”. My approach was to tune out, read a book, watch the cricket, ride my bike and be oblivious to local and world events. It was awesome – so relaxing!

This Christmas I decided I’d do the same. A two week news sabbatical. I continued reading my book, revelled in Arsenal’s continued good form, enjoyed every minute of the cricket and had some great rides.

Unfortunately with a return to work it was back to checking in with the world and being able to confirm that “No News is Good news”.

Spotify, Pandora, Kindle, CDs and Books

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A few months ago I posed the rhetorical question “Have I really bought my last cd?”.

For the best part of six moths I happily went along listening to Spotify and Pandora as a paid subscriber. I discovered new music and old favourites. Amazingly convenient and almost no song not available. Rented music seemed the answer to my almost insatiable love of music.

Then a few weeks ago I had a change of heart sparked by a chance listening to a radio program with The Beatles biographer, Mark Lewisohn which sparked a desire to listen to The Beatles from start to finish and I wanted to own them, not rent them.

So it was back to the CD Shop and a resumption of a long term passion of purchasing music again. It was like running into an old friend. Seeing what was new, browsing the CD racks for something interesting and then the bargain bins with each visit usually resulting in a purchase. The result is that since purchasing The Beatles Boxed Set I have bought a few more CDs and it’s been fun. I doubt I will buy as many CDs as I did in the past, but I know for sure that my love for owning my music burns deep. Renting is convenient but just not the same.

The same chance listening to the radio

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Second Valley, South Australia

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Second Valley is located on the western shore of Fleurieu Peninsula and is surely one of the most beautiful spots in South Australia. The natural beauty of the undulating hills and the rugged coastline is always picturesque whether seen in the dry of summer or the green of winter.

So says Ron Blum as he opens his book The Second Valley A History of Second Valley South Australia

It was during the public ride for the Tour Down Under that I really discovered Second Valley. A day which was so far beyond hot it didn’t matter. I had cramp early in the ride not surprising given it was 40c plus and which made all of the hills a major challenge. The road was melting under my wheels!

I reached Leonard’s Mill and sat in the shade simply to recover before attempting yet another hill. One which on a normal day would have been simple. While I was sitting there a group of locals rolled out of the pub after a cold beer and had a chat. I must have looked quite a sight!

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In any event, I took a mental note of the place as we searched for a new beach house. We had a place at Aldinga but

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browney237.com is One

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This post is all about me!

Reichstag, Berlin

Reichstag Berlin


It is a selfish reflection as browney237.com turns One. My blog is a personal writing space, and has reflected my own journey over the last twelve months: a period of transition.

I remember sitting at the beach house the Sunday after Adelaide narrowly lost the 2012 AFL Preliminary Final feeling quite unsettled. That feeling was not a product of the narrow loss but my continued reflection on my firm’s transition to retirement seminar, “Pinnacle”or as I refer to it, “God’s Waiting Room”, which we had attended a couple of weeks before.

I had also just finished reading, Herminia Ibarra’s “Working Identities” Continue reading →