Do You See What I See .....

I'm Back .......

Well, back to reality. My son and I just finished our 6 day Walkabout, we managed to travel about 1700km and visited places such as Caboolture, Nambour, Gympie, Bauple ( Home to my Sister Wendy ), Maryborough, Harvey Bay ( Home to my other Sister Susan ), Childers, Gaynda, Mundubbra, Monto, Biloela, Gladstone, Seventeen Seventy ( Location where Captain Cook first discovered Australia's East Coast ), Bundaberg then back to Brisbane.

It was by far one of the most relaxing holidays I've ever had and the time spent 100% focused on my son was priceless.

It's amazing how much more you hear when you actually STOP and listen with mind AND body. I certainly saw and heard a side to my boy that I had not noticed to date. He is definitely his own man even at only 13 years of age, with opinions and ideas unique and special, he has well defined dreams, ambitions and beliefs as well as having his own motivators and triggers.

Now all we have to do is work on his teenage mood swings and I recon we will be all OK for anything that life wants to throw our way.

At the risk of having this Blog sound like a disjointed ramble I have just flashed back to the view of thousands of acres of fully grown Sugar Cane in full flower and being harvested. It's and amazing sight to see both close up with the tri colour fields ( brown dead husk at the bottom, vibrant green stem in the middle and pastel purple flowering head at the top ) and at a distance to see huge purple field of flowering cane.

Another great experience was the visiting of the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. I purchased a specially labeled bottle of Bundaberg Rum which said " Bottled for Dylan " Grub " Swansson, Happy 40th Birthday 1997 - 2037. I have told him that he has to save the bottle until 2037 and we will have a drink for his 40th birthday.

We saw some of the most beautiful country side around both Cattle country, Cane Fields and Citrus Farms.

I had the honour of listing to Dylan practice his Trumpet just after dawn at the top of a country lookout with the low laying fog surrounding the hill and covering the massive Citrus Farms at its base.

We went to a old fashion cinema and watched the new Karate Kid.

We ate dinners in country pubs ( Should have taken a photo of the meal in Gaynda ... half a pig in two pork chops and half a field of veg all for A$15.00 ) and breakfasts in country bakeries.

We listened to each others music, swapped stories and ideas, laughed, got frustrated with each other at times and watched our mighty Rugby League team the Queensland Mighty Maroons win the 2010 State of Origin 3 - 0.

We visited the beautiful town of Seventeen Seventy where Captain Cook first came a shore and stood on Australian soil. While it is now widely acknowledged that the Dutch discovered Australia on the West Coast it is actually at Seventeen Seventy that Australia was first officially discovered and the first steps of the settlement of this great country was started.

And we got to visit our newest additions to the extended Swansson Clan.

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Walkabouts & Conversations

I had the opportunity to sit down and have a big chat with my sister Wendy ( Photo of Wendy and the Outlaw Mick ) the other day and as usual when Wendy and I get together and start our “ Little ” chats we end up talking for hours and in the process finding solutions to all the worlds problems.

Another magical thing happens when we get together too, I believe we open each others eyes to truths that sometimes are too close to see. To be honest, I think Wendy does the majority of the enlightening ( of me ).

Wendy and I can just sit and talk, talk like there is no tomorrow and talk in a way where there are no fences or boundaries. We can talk without fear of offending or of being judged by our comments even if politically incorrect or naive at times.

Our “ Chats ” flow like a mountain stream meandering down within a ancient rainforest, ever gathering speed and volume by connecting with other streams and topics of conversation until we are a raging river charging to the sea.

An amazing thing happens when you are blessed with the opportunity to openly discuss topics without fear or judgment or ridicule. You get to wade through the collective mud of beliefs, experiences and misinformation ( which is life ) and eventually exit the other side with the truth. A clarity which can only be achieved by carefully peeling away the prejudices and biases until you are left with nothing but the core truth.

I don’t really have words for how much I enjoy these chats with my Big Sister, I always walk away feeling relaxed, cantered but most of all I walk away feeling heard which in today’s society I find is a rare commodity.

How many times have you had a conversation or greeted someone only to get an automated reply or response, you know they hear you but they have not heard you.

When was the last time you stoped and asked someone how their day was going and actually stoped long enough to hear and care about their answer.

How often have you passed by someone and said “ Hello, how you going ? ” but then kept on walking without missing a step, not waiting for an answer or listening to it even if you hear it.

How often have you been asked how your day was and just auto replied “ all right thanks and you ! ” even though you have heaps on your mind and would love to have a receptive ear to talk to !

We rush on by with our lives in auto mode more and more these days and fail to stop and smell the proverbial Rose, but why ? is life really that urgent these days compared to parents past.

It’s the same with our kids, how often do you pick your kids up from school and ask them how their day was but not actually stop and listen to what they have to say. Especially with kids, what they say and what they are trying to say are two vastly different things and unless you actually STOP, clear your mind and listen to their meaning the whole exercise can end up a wasted effort and leave the child feeling valueless and voiceless ( same goes for adults too ).

The joy of talking to a small child is innocence, most haven’t been exposed to the prejudices of every day life to the extent that their minds are closed to the truth and to simple emotions. Barriers haven’t been built yet to guard them against the cruelty that life can at times throw your way. They still naively believe in truth, honesty, openness and dreaming.

I honestly believe as a race we are loosing the art of conversation and interacting, more and more our worlds are based around the impersonal computers technology.

Without leaving home we can now be educated, shop, pay our bills, socialise, research and the list goes on endlessly, but at what cost with the loss of the personnel interaction we have lost from the experience.

It’s time to stop and talk people, to stop and talk with 100% of our focus and involvement within the conversation.

I’m about to head off for a “ Walkabout ” with my son in two days, we are going to jump in the car and just drive with no plans or set destinations. All electronic devices are being left at home and we are just going to cruise for a week and see where life takes us.

Traditionally a “ Walkabout ” was a coming of age for the indigenous Aboriginals here in Australia, a time when a young man would walk off from his tribe to discover life and themselves. While not quite so adventurous as their efforts but I too hope that this trip will be a coming of age ( to a degree ) between my son and I. He has just turned 13 years and is more ways then I am ready for he is becoming his own man ( Attached is a clip of how HE wanted to celebrate his 13th Birthday )

I enjoy talking to my son as much as I enjoy talking to my sister Wendy, his view is unique in many ways and valid although at times vastly different to mine, we are constantly teaching each other and reminding each other of the benefits of keeping an open mind.

So here is to Long Open Debates with my sister, youthful honest conversations with my son “ Grub ” and always being able to keep an open mind and a full week of Walkabout Discovery.

Till then, thank you for taking the time to read my Blog !

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Legends

I took my son to see a movie the other day, we saw Russel Crow in Robin Hood, I was instantly taken by the phrase engraved on the hilt of the sword given to Robin Longstride ( Robin of the Hood ) by a dying Knight, Robert Loxley, along with the request to return the sword to his father in Nottingham.

“ Rise and Rise again until Lambs become Lions ”

The essence of this phrase I believe was to insight meek sheperded Lambs ( peasants ) to rise and rise again until they were Loins ( a symbol of Royalty ) and masters of their own destiny.

To Never Give Up

While no one knows for sure the exact legitimacy of many historical legends recorded in history such as the escapades of Robin Longstride and no doubt there is an argument that history is written by the victors and as such it will always tends to favour the victors.

I have no doubt that legends are born by great deeds being achieved under extreme circumstances by ordinary people faced with extraordinary challenges.

Such extraordinary achievements of defiance and dedication to a cause or action during defining moments in history is the stuff that I believe all of us wonder secretly about when reflecting within at the strength of our individual souls.

In our quieter reflective moments we question within wether we would be as strong and dedicated if we were to find ourselves in such a moment in time. How would we measure up against our legends.

History has certainly given us a long list of legends, some recorded definitively in history and others as mythical legends who’s feats have been passed down through folk law from generation to generation.

It will be interesting to see how history records the deeds of such legendary leaders, freedom fighters and motivators of today’s era. Will their deeds be forgotten with time or will they be revered and recorded in history for the rest of time for ever growing in societies memories till they reach the level of mythical status.

How will history remember people such as Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, ( In my opinion, The Greatest Human Spirit of our generation.)

I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

Mikhail Gorbachev ~The Father of Perestroika and the recipient of the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize.

Gerry Adams ~ Gerry Adams is widely acclaimed for his crucial role in laying the groundwork for the peace process in Ireland and for his continuing efforts in the building of a stable, democratically negotiated peace settlement.

Barack Obama ~ The whole of the globe has such high expectations of Barack Obama, he is expected to restore honour and respect to not only the United States of America but also to the world.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ~ (1869-1948), also known as Mahatma Gandhi

Certainly the above names are only but a very minor selection of Great Individuals in today’s world, given the opportunity who would you add to this list ?

I believe all of the above have one common denominator in their actions and their lives.

They all served a higher cause then themselves with their actions being for the greater cause with no though for self.

And what of us ? What cause do we serve that is greater than us as individuals ? When we are long dead and return to our beginning what will our lives have said in the pages of history, what will you be remembered for ?

What will I be remembered for ?

God Save Australia

So we now have Julia Gillard as the

" Democratic " Prime Minister !

A hard line Union Puppet that slipped in through

the back door to ransack the house !

May God have mercy on us all because I'm sure
the Australian Labor Party won't !

Don't Blame Me ~ I didn't vote for RUDD &

NO ONE voted for Gillard !

Come Visit Australia ~ But Beware !

This weeks Hump Day Laugh is one of the funniest stand up routines I've ever listened to by non other than the one and only " Billy Connolly " out of the 1986 Comedy Relief.
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Some interesting facts about Australian wildlife

The top ten (10) most dangerous Australian animals ( but not limited to )


1. The Box Jellyfish
One of the most extremely lethal animals in the world, and implicitly Australian, often found on the continent. Found on the coast alongside the Great Barrier Reef, the box jellyfish possesses an extremely powerful venom. The stings are terribly painful and often fatal.
Be sure to include a bottle of vinegar in your first aid kit if you’ll be traveling in areas abound with these jellyfish. Vinegar applied for 30 seconds to the sting, then removing the tentacles with a towel, will reduce the damage. But you will need to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

2. The Taipan
The taipan is a large, fast and highly venomous snake often found throughout Australia. The taipan has the most toxic venom out of all the species worldwide, has a dark brown color and is often found in sugar fields where it hunts for rats. The snake is usually found in the far north of Australia, in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, where the winter is mild. Taipan’s usually stay away from people but once cornered or threatened, they strike several times.

3. Saltwater Crocodile
The largest living member of the crocodilians and reptiles, the saltwater crocodile can grow up to 18 feet (5.45 meters) in length and is often found in Thailand, Vietnam and Northern Australia. They have been known to take on animals such an adult water buffalo and have often attacked people. It is usually well camouflaged both underwater or on dry land and strikes at an amazing speed. Its most powerful attack – the death roll – consists of grabbing its prey and rolling powerfully until it dies.

4. Blue Ring Octopus
Another serious threat for those that wish to explore the waters of Australia is the blue-ringed octopus – one of the most toxic sea creatures in the world found off the coast of Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Even though the octopus is only the size of a golf ball, there is no known antidote for its powerful venom. It causes motor paralysis, eventually leading to cardiac arrest. First aid treatment consists of pressure on the wound and mouth-to-mouth breathing that can last for several hours.

5. Stone Fish
Known as the most venomous fish in the world, the stone fish lives on the bottom of the reefs, camouflaged as a rock. It lives above the Tropic of Capricorn but can be found in the Queensland Great Barrier Reef as well. It’s venom comes from the dorsal area, that is lined with 13 spines, causing shock, paralysis and tissue death depending on the severity of the sting. First aid consists of immobilizing the venom by bandaging the affected area then applying a hot compress. The pain is said to be so excruciating that it lead to amputating the affected limb.

6. Red Back Spider
This species found all over the continent is Australia’s most famous deadly spider. The red striped spider has a neurotic venom that induces severe pain, however, deaths are rare. Thousands of people are bitten but only approximately 20% of the victims require treatment. Generally, the children and the elderly are the most exposed to the spider’s threat. This is one of the few spider species that displays sexual cannibalism while mating.

7. Brown Snake
There are several types of brown snakes but the Pseudonaja is the genus commonly found in Australia. Known as one of Australia’s most deadly creatures, the brown snake has a venom which quickly kills if it goes untreated. Even young snakes are capable of delivering a fatal bite to humans.

8. Tiger Snake
The tiger snake is another of the many venomous snakes found Australia, particularly in the southern regions. The striped snakes are not generally aggressive and retreat whenever they have the chance. The tiger snake is known as one of the deadliest snakes in the world. Although anti-venom is readily available, mortality rates are around 45% if the bite is left untreated. In most states, the species is protected and any harming or injuring lead to a fine of up to $4,000.

9. Great White Shark
This exceptionally large shark known as the white death is known as world’s largest known predatory fish. They can be found in great numbers on the southern coasts of Australia and, even though they have often been depicted as fatal to humans, they do not target them as a prey. Many of the attacks we’re not fatal, the shark only performing test-biting, out of curiosity. Humans are not a good meal, considering the shark’s slow digestion compared to the human’s muscle to fat ratio.

10. Funnel Web Spider
The darkly colored spiders resembling tarantulas have fangs and chelicerae with ample venom glands, that can even penetrate fingernails or shoes. They can be found in the eastern coast of Australia, New South Wales, Victoria or Queensland. First aid consists of applying a bandage and wrapping the bitten limb. As with other spiders, the main treatment is the anti-venom.

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Reality Calling

My last post was a bit like a pressure valve release before I blew a blood vessel, it was a therapeutic preventative measure to bring me back from the brink and to release the frustration and anger building quicker within me than I was able to deal with or process.

Looking back and reading my last post with the luxury of hindsight I now realize it all looked a bit messy, childish and embarrassing, a good old fashion dummy spit. But it did it’s job and by being able to vent my built up frustrations and anger I once again reduced the pressure to a manageable level and then started to process the facts that were left once the emotion was removed from the equation.

I always find it interesting how different people deal with their frustration and built up emotions, irrespective of whether it be anger, guilt, jealousy, fear or any of the other marvelous emotions that we all experience. Emotions that when it is all said and done remind us that we are alive. When we stop feeling these emotions is when we should really be worried.

Last Friday afternoon my first response to being told that I was being made redundant was to isolate myself from the human race, I instantly felt such anger and rage within me that I instinctively knew the safest place for me was to be by myself where my ranting and raving would not do any real harm and I would not be forced into making apologies further down the track or be forced to face legal ramifications to a momentary laps of sanity.

Once isolated my second response was to call my eldest sister “ Wendy ” and to just get her to talk to me, Wendy has always been my life line to hold onto while I let the barriers down. My lifeline which guaranteed that I would continue to have a lighthouse of sanity to focus onto and not just continue to spin off out of control once I let all the restraint go.

This is the part of dealing with emotions that I am least comfortable with, “letting go”. Now I know the logic which goes with the statement that “ Control is an Illusion ”, but the fact remains that I do not like not being in control of myself. I think that is the main reason why I hate surprises and change in my life because they both come with a degree of loss of control over oneself and surroundings.

So once I released the pressure I focused on giving myself and my son a normal weekend and I shut the dilemma of being made redundant out of my head and life for the long weekend. ( It was a long weekend her in Australia for the Queens birthday which incidentally was not this weekend … but that’s another Blog and discussion.)

There is a lot to be said for “ The Ostrich Principle ” of handling bad news. That’s the principle where you stick your head in the sand and pretend that the threat just doesn’t exist, after all if you can’t see it then it can’t get you.

Now I love the Ostrich Principle and normally roll out of my isolated rage while talking to my eldest sister straight into my golden period of denial while practicing to be an Ostrich. And I must say it at the risk of sounding full of myself ~ I am bloody good at being an Ostrich.

Friday night I went to a comedy club and actually sat there with friends and laughed till I nearly wet myself, Saturday was focused on my sons sports and then Sunday was taken up with a huge Winter Festival on the Gold Coast called Wintersun that runs for 4 days of live Music, Great Food and Classic Cars. To make sure the denial was complete I even let my son have two of his teenage mate over for the night Saturday and I took all three teenage boys to the Wintersun the next day.

If you ever get bad news that you really don’t want to focus on then surround yourself with three teenage boys, Hot Rod Cars and scantily dressed ladies on the Gold Coast. While listening to Live Rock & Roll bands in the Winter Sun.

So here we are, it’s now a week later, all the emotion is out of the situation and all we are left with is the hard cold facts that at the end of this week I will be once again unemployed.

But you know what …. Life goes on, the sun has still been rising every morning, the sky hasn’t fallen down on top of everyone, and politicians are still untrustworthy.

I have decided to take a week or two for me then just get back up into the saddle and get on with life. Actually my son is on school holidays at the moment and I am looking forward to being able to spend some time with him before he goes back to school. Just enough time for a bit of a road trip I think.

Till then ….

Dohi to you all

Hump Day Laugh ~ Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

This weeks Hump Day Laugh dedicated to the Mighty Australian

Socceroos

in the Sth African Soccer World Cup

Aussie Aussie Aussie

Oi Oi Oi

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Advance Australia Fair

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in Nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing,
"Advance Australia fair!"

When gallant Cook from Albion sail'd,
To trace wide oceans o'er,
True British courage bore him on,
Till he landed on our shore.
Then here he raised Old England's flag,
The standard of the brave;
With all her faults we love her still,
"Brittannia rules the wave!"
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

Beneath our radiant southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

While other nations of the globe
Behold us from afar,
We'll rise to high renown and shine
Like our glorious southern star;
From England, Scotia, Erin's Isle,
Who come our lot to share,
Let all combine with heart and hand
To advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

Shou'd foreign foe e'er sight our coast,
Or dare a foot to land,
We'll rouse to arms like sires of yore
To guard our native strand;
Brittannia then shall surely know,
Beyond wide ocean's roll,
Her sons in fair Australia's land
Still keep a British soul.
In joyful strains the let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

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NEWS FLASH ~ Mid Life Crisis Ahead

News Flash !

The Glass Is Not Always Half Full !

The Grass Is Sometimes Greener In The Other Paddock !

And Karma Is A Load Of Bullshit !

I have to believe that Karma is a load of Bullshit, other wise I have to believe that I am the Devil Spawn and must have been both Hitler and Dr Joseph Mengele rolled into one in my previous life.

I am a good person !

I live a good life and have been a good son, a good husband and a good father.

I have never gone out of my way to make anyone’s day any harder than it needed to be.

And have lived an ( non perfect ) honest life.

So why then dose life seem to want to kick me down every bloody time I seem to pull myself back up again ?

Why when I’m living a honest and thoughtful life does life insist on challenging my option of a comfortable existence and offer instead a life of stress, struggle and pain.

Why must I watch those around me and those that I love more than life itself suffer and hurt on a daily basis ?

Now I know life wasn’t meant to be easy …. BUT …

It wasn’t meant to be bloody impossible either !

What ever happened to playing fairly and everyone being treated equally ?

The last 4 years have been bloody hell ! I am sick of trying to keep the chin up with a stiff upper lip and soldier on, I am tired and would like to stop the fight !

In the last five years…..

I watched two loved ones commit suicide,
I have watched another loved one attempt suicide twice,
I have watched these suicides take an unmeasurable toll on other loved ones around me,
Another loved one was raped as a young teen,
I have been bankrupt,
I have been made redundant in three jobs with the latest redundancy yesterday,
I have had a heart attack,
I have had to watch another loved one suffer from mental health issue that were beyond my ability to help and watch them self harm on a regular basis with the knowledge that I can do nothing to help their pain,
I have had to endure a heart destroying separation – reconciliation – separation and had to accept that my 16 year relationship is now gone forever while all the time fighting demons of self worth within myself ….

Believe it or not, I could go on ! …..

Well ….

I give up !

No More !

You Win !

Count me out, I’ll just collect my bat and ball now and go home if you don’t mind ! Thanks for playing but I’ve gotta go now !

I am tired and don’t want to play anymore.

I am quite happy to wallow in my self pity and indulge in a Mid Life Crisis filled with excessive amounts of being self indulgent, self centred and self righteous. I have been looking forward to my golden period in the spotlight for many years and now that I’m here I intend to make the most of it and take centre stage for all the world to see.

I have had a steady but ever increasing sense of restlessness over the last 12 months, a growing sensation that life has not shared it’s Yang with me even though I have more than paid my share of Ying into the collection bowl of life.

I have paid my dues and been the “ Good Son ”, I have chased the corporate ladder and kissed ass, while ever biting my tongue instead of telling the boss what I really think of his new structure or ideas, I have been married and been the “ Thoughtful and Supportive Husband ” and am ever still the “ Protective Proud Dad ”.

Now while I have never resented being the Good Son, Husband or Dad ( notice the deliberate absence of corporate ladder climber ) I do believe it’s time for ME.

I have never really chased my dreams or searched out my true calling in life. I have always focused on keeping those happy around me and not making waves.

I’ll be the first to admit that this is mainly due to my insecurities and hang ups but times have changed and my attitude is changing with it.

I feel like I am awakening from a very deep sleep and noticing that the world is moving on and that I have very much missed my boat.

I have woken up and am looking at my aging parents and wondering where their years have gone, when did they get old, I see the next generation being born and realise that MY generation just got pushed one rung further down the ladder, I talk to my sisters and listen with compassion of their ageing ailments and realise with horror that we are getting old too.

We have started to go to the weddings of our nephews and nieces and we have started to burry dear old mentors and loved ones.

Secure long term jobs suddenly seem under attack from a brash and cocky young army who are better armed and trained with the technology of today and once strong and proud methods have suddenly become stale and old.

To offset the step down from the podium is a new attitude, a attitude of resolve and defiance. A attitude of confidence, a confidence of experience, a confidence of knowledge, not just a knowledge of books but a knowledge of life, real life. A knowledge of history and experience. A Knowledge of how to play the game smart not just hard.

It’s time to play my game, a game call “ Mid Life Crisis ”

Hump Day Laugh - Baggage Handlers

This Weeks Hump Day Funny is dedicated to all you global tourists out there and your never ending quest to arrive at the same destination and at the same time as your luggage, especially those who have decided to travel to our fair shores and aren’t quite used to our Australian sense of humour.

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Privacy Policy

I want to grow as a writer. I want to sharpen my skills and write articles that are both though provoking and that widen the horizon of knowledge for those that read my work. I would like to challenge those reading my articles to think outside of the square and to challenge both their personal beliefs and those that are set for them by society.

A lot of what I have written so far for this Blog has been about personal issues and events. I have read many blogs which are similar to mine and read many comments about how they are like hanging out the washing for everyone to see.

Don’t get me wrong, I am certainly happy with what I have written to date and have thoroughly enjoyed reading others articles of the same format. Actually reading such blogs have been very therapeutic in many ways as I have found one of two things happen when reading these laundry blogs. The first thing that normally happens is that you relate to their story and realize that you are in fact not alone in this world and that there are people out there experiencing the same type of issues and frustrations, this normally gives you multiple viewpoints of your existing self issues and helps you work through or understand your own issues. The second thing which I have notice happening is a realization that your own issues and frustrations are not actually that bad compared to others, once again this is very therapeutic and allows you to put your own affairs into perspective.

So, having said that I will still continue to hang out the washing and hope to connect with anybody in Blog land that I can reach ….. BUT ….. I would also love to grow as a person and a writer and challenge my readers in any way I can. I would like to step up on my Soap Box and challenge people to think and debate about topics that are relevant to the day, both for the individual and the communities that we live in.

The first such topic that I would like to get up on my Soap Box about is actually a topic which I was asked to think about not so long ago in a reply to one of my own Blogs that I posted.

The topic at hand is about “ Privacy Policies ” when writing blogs. This question was presented to me by Heather Conroy back in April when I posted a blog on Writers Rising call Sticks and Stones. The blog was essentially about teasing and verbal abuse suffered by both myself growing up and my son today. Heather stated in her comment to my article that she had concerns about how much sensitive material I discuss regarding my son and that she personally didn’t publish such items about her kids but rather left that to them when and if they ever decided to share it with the world. Heather then went on to ask me my opinions on the subject of Blogger’s having Privacy Policies and what they were.

Now I must admit that at the time I was naively taken back by Heathers very valid question which in itself challenged me to look within at my own self value in another blog I posted on The Soap Box Truth called “ Open House ”.

Unfortunately the question was never taken up and a open discussion on the topic never achieved.

I would like to redress that missed opportunity and challenge everyone to share THEIR views and beliefs on this very important subject and question.

We are reminded almost weekly in one forum or another of the need to address personal security on the net and how once information is on the net it is there forever, for anyone who pleases and yet we daily pour our souls out into our Blogs without a second though.

I have been thinking long and hard about Heathers question for the better side of the last month and a half and must admit that it raised alarm bells with me regarding how open I was being with my information. I have been questioning the subject of privacy policies and what mine should be and as a result have the better side of a dozen written blogs that I haven’t published because I am still undecided as to where my line in the sand should be.

So without further ado, I’d like to thank Heather for raising the question at hand and open the floor for discussion.

Please share this blog around and feel free to link back to it so that we all can get a good discussion burning.

Dohi & Thanks for dropping by. This Blog was first posted on Writers Rising, If you would like to leave a comment and join in this discussion please follow this link and post on Writers Rising.