onetrack

I was under the impression tricycle-based vehicles were reasonably stable. I used to own a couple of tricycle Honda 185cc off-roaders (ATV's), they were quite good, but if you did stupid things with them, of course they would tip over, and turf you off. I never ever had a problem riding them, and I rode them extensively. I didn't go over about 70kmh with them, although they would do over 80kmh. But of course, a few idiots did stupid things on them, ended up being thrown off and injured, and even killed - so the authorities banned them, in another fit of equal stupidity. Of course, cunning, ambulance-chasing lawyers did their bit to get them banned, too. All I can think of with the Honda is the lack of protection from heavy highway vehicles. Roadtrains - in fact, even just many single trailer semi's, create huge levels of wind deflection - and they throw up road debris, rocks and sand - and they often lose parts of the load, or bolts from trailers, or even gluts and tie-downs of various types. I regularly see ratchet straps on the highways, that have fallen off. One of them mixed up with a motorcycle-based rig wouldn't be fun. And finally of course, following a semi in rainy conditions on a motorcycle-based rig is nothing less than highly dangerous. You'd certainly need to pick your riding conditions, and be extra alert at all times.

No, no and No. 16 yr olds are utterly brainless and it's a well known fact that teenagers brains are still developing, and don't actually fully develop until they're around 20. Even then, there are plenty of brainless 20 yr olds. We don't let them drive on a full licence until they're 17, and I believe the voting age should stay at 18. I wonder what the devious plan is behind this scheme? A lot of young people brains are wrapped up in social media, the internet, "Influencers", gaming and other "electronic device" entertainment, and none of that bodes well for intelligent discourse, or intelligent choices on what direction they want the country to go in. Social media "Influencers" would end up wielding enormous undemocratic voter influence.

John Stone, former Secretary of the Federal Treasury from 1979 to 1984 under the Fraser Govt, has died aged 96. It is reported he had been suffering from leukemia for some time. https://thenightly.com.au/politics/john-stone-death-former-senator-and-secretary-of-the-federal-treasury-dies-aged-96-c-19394471

Peter, that's an August 2023 news article.

No, hang on - "Good night, sweet Prince". It's a quote from Hamlet.

Good night, sweet things?

I'm in Broome at present and spotted this Honda Goldwing trike that someone has ridden from NSW to Broome! It must have been a tiring ride, mixing it with triple road trains on the major highways.

Because the jails are overflowing with people who have committed dreadful crimes under the influence of drugs, and the judiciary is loathe to jail anyone who hasn't committed a serious crime - yet. But they let these drug-addled, anti-social misfits out on the street, saying the Parole Board and Social Support systems will keep them under control and supervised - when we all know, that just doesn't happen.

Exchanging vows

Deleted....

Enchanting cats

What do the words "abstemious" and "facetious" have in common?

Jerry, you're thinking of John Houlder, I believed he managed Elstree, he didn't actually own it. Wing Commander Ken Wallis is another memorable bloke, designing dozens of devices, including autogyros that he flew with amazing skill in his 90's. He was still flying at age 94, and he reached 97 before he died in 2013. He flew one of his autogyros in the James Bond movie, "You Only Live Twice". https://www.mi6-hq.com/news/index.php?itemid=8700

Correct, Jerry. She invented the polar area diagram to show the beneficial effect of proper nursing during the Crimean War.

What modern nursing pioneer also developed the polar area diagram? (the polar area diagram is similar to a pie chart, but more intricate).

The age when to cease driving is something that affects all of us eventually. All older drivers generally reduce their driving amounts and conditions they drive in, to only conditions they know they can handle safely. But illness and deteriorating eyesight, and the development of bad driving habits are the bugbears of older drivers. Here on the left coast, the authorities rely on doctors to report those clients they deem to be unsafe behind the wheel. All drivers undergo a mandatory test drive (PDA - Practical Driving Assessment) at age 80, and every year thereafter, a doctor must sign a medical assessment as regards fitness to drive. Over 80, the authorities require Main Roads W.A. Accreditation for anyone to hold a Commercial (Truck) Drivers Licence. The Accreditation process is pretty intense and covers physical fitness levels. I once saw a bloke in the U.S. who was an interstate long-haul truck driver - who was 94! He was the oldest commercial truck driver in the U.S. and passed his truck drivers test annually with no problem. He didn't look a day over 70. I suppose he gave it away when he got to 100! An old bloke lives on a semi-rural block next to the brother in the Southern suburb of Armadale. W.A. He's 101, and only just had his licence lifted! The brother reckons he should've had it lifted 10 years ago! The old bloke built a shed for himself, when he was 97!

Just under 100% - and they're right - she'll never finish it, using that technique.

The comet will be seen again in 2029.

GON has nursed that bitterness, and fed it until it consumes him. We all have regrets, and we all wish there was many things we could change from the past, if we could. We can't, it's been and gone and done, and you just end up becoming bitter and twisted if you fail to put adverse life events in the past, behind you. You can give yourself cancer, nursing bitterness and anger.

Gee, Willie, your story is really an eye-opener. I've already decided to get the shots - just finding out that you can get repeated attacks of shingles is probably what finally convinced me (as well as all the useful advice above). I never knew it could be such a life-threatening thing.

GON - Saving the middle class from exactly what? And what defines the "middle class"? I'd have to opine a sizeable number of the deportees are "middle class".

I stopped purchasing newspapers over 20 years ago, because there was little value in them, back then. It has only gotten worse, a race to the bottom for the publication containing the most puerile, slanted, and outright incorrect "news". If wasn't for "entertainment" news, such as whatever any particular "movie star" or "influencer" is doing today, the papers would be down to 3 pages.

The amount of adverse information that is now coming from others that have worked with, or employed Erin Patterson, is quite amazing. Although she trained for and worked as an ATC, she made no social friends at the position - and was sacked after 10 mths, for lying about the hours she worked. She was knocking off early and still claiming she was on the job - but CCTV caught her in the carpark, going to her car, when she claimed she was still working. But she continued the lies and charade until she was presented with the CCTV proof. https://thenightly.com.au/australia/erin-patterson-the-pathological-lies-that-got-the-mushroom-killer-fired-from-her-air-traffic-control-job-c-19290775

So ... that's also obviously where the phrase, "We ended up in deep s***", came from? 😄

Yes, the Shingles vaccine is free to us, due to advanced age, so no major worries about cost. I just harbour this reluctance to keep getting vaccine injections for every darned thing. The Doc is also on about the 'Flu injection, too - but I haven't had the 'Flu for years and years (maybe 10, 12 or more years, can't recall when I last had it), and I'm not classed as "immunocompromised" or otherwise suffering from any ill-health or feebleness - and I believe keeping the bodys own immune system healthy is as good as any way to go. I eat well with a good varied diet, am not overweight, am still active daily, so I just don't feel like I'm at serious risk. All my blood tests come back with good results - the only thing is, it looks like I might need to have my prostate ripped out in a year or three, it's a bit enlarged, but not at a serious level yet. I can still get through the entire night without needing to urinate.