My father was very proud of our first car, a Ford New Beauty. We called it ‘Airtight Annie’.           We had friends, the Lincolns who had a car they called ‘Windy Wendy’. The two cars often went on picnics together.           It took two people to start our car. One to crank it up to…

When I started working in Wellington in 1944 eating houses were rare. You could count them on one hand. Today the city is cluttered with them. Exotic foods are common place and whatever you fancy is available.           In the forties the meals were largely soup, roast meat, and a pudding – usually with custard. There…

Today people take computers and cell phones for granted. If only I had such tools when I was younger it would have made my life so much easier.         I often went overseas to carry out audits, or to collect information to prepare a report. Some were for lengthy periods, up to three months.        …

RADIOS         Radios have played a major role in world history. When I was a lad they were rare.    We had one of the first long-range radio sets in Hawkes Bay.         Uncle Len Beasley was building sets with another man in a garage in Wellington. They started a company called AWA.         The…

Before the days of television most suburbs and small towns had a picture theatre, we kids called them the ‘Flicks’. At the beginning of a ‘Flick’ we had to stand for God Save the King (or Queen in later years). Then the latest news reels or propaganda reels would play, reminding us of the fights…

          I am ashamed to admit that the last time I had a swim was over a decade ago in my daughter’s family pool in Perth, WA.           When I was young I did much swimming. One of my early tutors was the mayor of Hastings. Hastings schools had some very good swimming pools.          …

         Having posted well over 900 blogs I am starting to run out of topics. I am about to close down my blogging for now as I am about to start writing another book.          This will be the 27th title I have written and published. It’s title is “Sticking Around”- as suggested by granddaughter,…

I am proud to report a granddaughter recently went to her first international science conference. It was held in Western Australia at Curtin University. She presented a scientific poster paper,  and was awarded the best conference poster.          ‘Portability’ becomes the operative word for most presenters.  Most presenters need to carry their display as hand…

COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS-Odds & Ends 58 I once carried out a survey in a large Government Ministry. I asked a simple question. I have since asked it many times in many countries and I usually get similar replies. “What do you consider is the main communication problem in your job?” * “Not knowing what other people…

Life’s battles don’t always go to the brightest person but sooner or later the person who wins is the one who thinks they can.          Hard work, belief, and stubbornness usually comes out on top – inhale confidence, exhale doubt.          Building up your confidence and your self-belief is a gradual process that involves how…