Change is in the air

The winter was long and quite dreary 

But now spring is arriving so cheery 

The cold winds now cease 

Warmer days increase 

As winter makes way for spring weary

Yes. Things are changing. Mostly for good. But not always. It sometimes feels like time just flows. And sometimes feels like Groundhog Year. I once liked the fact that the newspapers in this new adopted country of mine is a little more civil , with regards to reporting the news. But even that is now going down the drain. The elections might be over in the former United States, but the coverage, and its aftereffects is on the other side.

First , lets get this out of the way: the pandemic is over. The COVID-19 pandemic first reached Australia in early 2020. The government implemented increasingly restrictive measures like bans on public gatherings and travel to slow the spread of the virus. This had significant economic and social impacts on Australia. By April/May 2021, Australia had experienced over a year of the pandemic. Some of the key responses included closing schools which affected vulnerable children's education outcomes. The Reserve Bank of Australia also implemented unconventional monetary policies to support the economy. Throughout the pandemic, there were acute impacts on Australians' mental health as well as challenges for the healthcare system in treating patients and accessing personal protective equipment.

Inflation in Australia likely peaked in late 2022 and is projected to continue declining in 2023 and 2024 . But costs of things continue to stay high. The borders are now open, and temporary and permanent migration is not only high, but some say are higher than it has ever been.

But the biggest topic that has caught people's mind is the phenomenal , almost overnight rise of AI and the jobs it will reduce. And the repeated complaints of employers asking employees to return to office. Although these might look like two unrelated issues, they are more closely related than it seems.

I can still recall about 5 years ago, when Rising incomes, low public debt, affordable welfare state and immigration were discussed as things Australia was doing well. There was a general air of hope and confidence; this was the place to be, the model country for others to admire.

Maybe that spring isn't far away.

There once was a group full of hope Who said their investment would cope With schedules each day They planned things that way But optimism can lead us off scope

Thank goodness, I didn't go there

The USofA. I am talking of the USA. It was one of my life's best decisions that I didn't go there.

 Already more than 60 people have been killed in gun violence in 2023. And it is still only January.

There were 647 mass shootings last year.

And this is supposed to be the most developed, and advanced country in the world.

And now, top US companies have begun laying off employees. Andt these are some of the richest, most financially successful companies in the world.

Not going there.

75 years, and still waiting

Funny times, we are living in. I can distinctly remember the hope and energy in the air 25 years ago, during the 50th year celebrations. Yes, political leaders lied even then, but somehow those lies seemed plausible. And the goals they set forth seemed achievable. Do-able. In our lifetime.

Not any more.

After 75 years, a nation still waits. While it slowly destroys itself.

A little warmer , please

Never thought I would say this, but this year's was a longer winter than usual. And also colder. Across Australia, average temperatures have been declining, due to the La Nina, and other unexpected weather phenomenon. It has been steadily raining, and cold these past few months. A marked difference from the days when this used to be a drought struck area. A freezing 2 degrees in the mornings, some days. 

Winter is a fun time to enjoy, sure, but with COVID still around, and many new virus-caused diseases going around, sneezing outside doesn't get the same 'bless you' that it used to.

So, it is a good sign to see this long winter slowly coming to its end. End of this month, and we should be officially in spring ! What a wonderful time of the year to be out !!

Jurassic World : Dominon. Or how to ruin a movie franchise.

 And so, it happens. I am going to type in here , something I never thought I woulds say in my life. 

They ruined my favourite movie franchise for me. I hate dinosaur movies now.

Hollywood ruined it. Today I watched the utter trash that they called Dominion in a theatre today. And for about 5 minutes, I was so bored, I actually fell asleep. While a rampage was going on on the screen.

Collin Trevorow, I hate you. I will never watch anything you are involved in.

It is amazing how rancid commercialisation can actually take creativity out of movies.

I hope they teach this in film school tomorrow. How absolute morons can ruin long standing classics.