Clancy Tucker's Blog: 2012

1 January 2013 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Quote of the day:

"A good neighbour is a fellow who smiles at you

over the back fence but doesn’t climb over it."

G'day guys,

If you are reading this, I have some good news for you. You have made it to 2013. Well done, and I hope you all achieve more than you hope for. Today is a special day in Australia - the day of our first parliament - 1st January 1901 in Melbourne, Victoria. On the same day in 1923, the union of the Socialist Soviet Republics was established.

The Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne, Australia.

So, to start the year off on a bright note, I thought I'd include some more pics of those wonderful creatures that inhabit the earth, courtesy of some brilliant photographers.

Clancy's comment: Have a great year!

I'm ...

31 December 2012 - SHAMEFUL! -

SHAMEFUL !

G'day guys,

Today is not a good day for me, nor should it be for the world in general. I wish to publicly state how I felt after reading many reports of the death of the young 23 year-old Indian woman who was recently bashed and mercilessly raped by shameless men.

The horrific attack in New Delhi gained global attention after the 23-year-old was beaten, raped with an iron rod for nearly an hour and tossed out of a moving bus like trash. She died after battling "significant brain injury" and a lung and abdominal infection.

Indians participating in a candle light vigil Dec. 26 to seek a quick recovery of the young victim of the recent brutal gang-rape in a bus in New Delhi, India, learned with great sadness that the 23-year-old victim died Saturday, Dec. 29. She "passed away peacefully" with her family and officials of the Indian embassy by her side," said Dr. Kevin Loh, the chief executive of Mount Elizabeth hospital, where she was being treated.

It doesn't matter that I never knew her personally, that I am an Australian male, that she was an Indian citizen or that it happened on a bus. What does matter to me personally is THAT IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ANOTHER HUMAN IN 2012, when we have GPS technology, mobile phones, laptops, plasma televisions, fast cars, and all manner of luxuries to make our life supposedly easier and better.

I have often despaired at the antics, actions and attitudes of the human race. So much so, that many years ago I made a statement to a close friend, 'Nothing shocks me today, but people sure disappoint me.' That friend rang me soon after the young Indian woman had died and reminded me of my comment.

Christmas time was a very reflective time for me. I spent some time looking back at 2012, personally appraising my work, achievements (such as they are), actions, successes and failures as a professional story teller, author, photographer, social justice campaigner, human rights activist ... and human. Sadly, I came to a very stark conclusion that many people around me are struggling, and I do not mean financially. What do I mean? Well, they are finding it hard to make sense of life - wars, selfish politicians, global financial crises, a global dog-eat-dog mentality, pathetic 'dumbing-down' television shows that rob us of our intelligence, a lack of respect for our elders, an increase in child suicides, drugs and many other sad issues that prevail upon our daily lives. How do I know this? Simple. They ring me often, or I ring them, and I can feel it in their voice. They are sad - often depressed.

Wow, have we learnt much? Has technology made us any happier? I doubt it. In fact, I think the loss of this young woman, and especially the manner in which she lost her life, has convinced me that we have lost our way and maybe it's time we all had a good, hard look at ourselves and rethink what life is supposed to mean. If living a reasonable life means being raped, pillaged, treated like trash and thrown from a bus, then we have sadly lost the plot.

Indian students hold placards demanding severe punishment for rapists as they condemn the gang-rape of a student in New Delhi during a protest in Jammu, India, on Dec. 20. But they face an uphill struggle. For example, on Friday, Abhijit Mukherjee, a national lawmaker and the son of India's president, caused an uproar and then hastily apologized for calling the protesters "highly dented and painted" women, who go from discos to demonstrations.

Mm ... no doubt many will think I'm a raving lunatic or a bleeding heart. Nope, I'm just another human in the big global village who has every right to enjoy all the human rights laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - as did the young Indian woman who died. Sadly, her perpetrators paid no attention to her rights - none what so ever. Shame on them.

I've always wanted to, and will, write a story about the 1890 and 1930 depression. Why? Not sure, but I have always had great respect and admiration for those who survive tough times. Having read heaps about people who survived horrendous moments in history like the holocaust, the early settlers in Australia, survivors of the Pol Pot and Idi Amin regimes and the plight of our Australian indigenous brothers and sisters, it has steeled my view of the world - my personal view of humans. What a pathetic bunch.

Having said that, it is a known fact that compassion is more common in poor times than in good times. Maybe that's why I am on the same page as many others around the world who also cry out against injustice and man's inhumanity to man. And, why I've featured those people on this blog. They don't have to do what they do, but they do so because they believe the world could be better. It can, and it all starts with us. Yep, you and me.

Kashmiri Sikh students shout slogans and hold placards as they take part in a protest in Srinagar on December 27, following the rape of a student in the Indian capital on December 16. The fatal attack has sparked a wave of protests across India in which a policeman died and more than 100 police and protestors were injured.

Not only but also, whilst on the subject of India, should any of you wish to learn more about the great work of people like Rita Banerji, please check out this essay of hers which appeared in 'The Lyon Review' in May 2012:

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http://thelyonreview.com/2012/05/26/why-the-annihilation-of-women-2/?goback=.gde_43780_member_127014260

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PS: What a shameful world, to allow this to happen to a young woman - anywhere!

Tomorrow is the first day of 2013, so let's have a cold shower and start afresh. Don't stick your head in the sand - do something. It might just pay dividends.

Finally, I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the young woman who was brutally killed.

Pax vobiscum!

I'm ...

Indian riot policemen stand in front of a demonstrating crowd during a protest calling for better safety for women following the deadly and brutal rape of a student in the Indian capital, in New Delhi on December 27.

30 December 2012 - Violet Apted - Guest Author

Quote of the day:

VIOLET APTED

GUEST AUTHOR

G'day guys,

Today I welcome an Australian author who has had an interesting life - Violet Apted. This lovely lady arrived in Australia from Sussex, England in 1976 and has settled in Queensland, Australia. She is well travelled. Welcome, Violet.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.

When I was very young I had a fascination with ‘quotations’and collected them in an album. My younger siblings shared a bedroom and always wanted me to tell them a bedtime story. I began writing them down. It was a natural happening that flipped my writing muse and soon had many stories in my cupboard.

Only after encouragement from my head Mistress about my essays did I find a little confidence that maybe I would let others read them, but I was in my early twenties before finally sending my first short story to a magazine! It was published! It was only the first of many.

WERE YOU A GOOD READER AS A KID?

YES! In fact I was scolded many times for always having my head in a book! I had an insatiable thirst for books.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?

For me the question was, ‘How could I NOT become a writer’! From my early childhood I had a compulsion to write and keeping a diary was the beginning!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

The feeling when I complete a story and the pride when that story is published.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

It can be lonely! But the hardest thing is the lack of understanding from non-writers.

WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?

Unfulfilled!

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?

Winning the’ RSL’ writing competition. I can still hear the applause when I was presented with my prize!

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I have just completed my non-fiction novel about my life during WW11 in UK and finalising a Sci Fi time travel story which was a joy to write because it allowed me to stretch my imagination to a higher level!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

The faith in me shown by my husband and family!

WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?

I am able to write in all genres. My favourite would be my children’s stories.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?

Let it flow!

DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?

Rarely

DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?

The early hours of the morning, before the rest of the world is awake is my favourite time to write.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?

I have created a ’snug’ little office.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?

Seeing the pleasure others get from reading my work and the feeling of achievement when a story is completed.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?

Charles Dickens was my favourite since childhood, but I do love Agatha Christie. Both authors depict the life and era’s they lived.

WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?

I was once told I am the Agatha Christie of the New Millennium! Never
forgot that!

WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?

My older sister once said she wasn’t interested in reading my novel! It hurt!

WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?

Very much so! Every story I write has a part of me or my family in it!

HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?

Three

HAVE YOU WON ANY PRIZES OR AWARDS?

Yes many certificates and competitions.

WHAT DID THEY MEAN TO YOU?

Confidence

OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?

The sea!

DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?

Yes

IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

Live and let live. Be at peace with each other

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

Writing in the early hours, Breakfast on the veranda with my husband gives me a great start to the day. Spending time with my family and watching a little TV holding hands with my husband completes my day.

WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST ASSETS AS A WRITER?

My vivid imagination and a sense of adventure that never diminishes

IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE? WHY?

My husband, because we never run out of conversation and he can always
make me laugh!

SHOULD YOU WRITE YOUR PERFECT BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

It would be non-fiction and about my life, as I have experienced so much and travelled extensively.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

To keep striving for THE best seller!

ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

I have lived a long and varied life. Experienced the loneliness of widowhood and feel very lucky to now know a contentment and happiness that just adds to my ability to write!

Clancy's comment: Thanks, Violet. Agree with you about the sea. It's a wonderful drug. Now, slip out onto that veranda and put ya feet up. Let me know when ya crack the best seller list.

I'm ...

29 December 2012 - Exceptional Kids

Quote of the day:

EXCEPTIONAL KIDS

G'day guys ,

Always had lots of time for kids. They are our greatest resource. Today I introduce you to three of them - exceptional kids. Mm ... but I really wonder how many of them there are out there in the world. As I've travelled through some poor countries over the years, I've often wondered if the odd kid here and there has the intellect to help cure cancer and help humanity. However, I guess we will never know because of the scourge of poverty.

Anyway, check out these videos about three exceptional kids: