Dear o sung wu,

I'm not sure I have pointed to 'infinite wisdom' (though if infinity means something without end then I suppose a ring is just that) but if it was of value then I am glad. It has been for me.

The Black Dog has taken the odd chunk out of my hide but not as painful as the literal chunk removed by an Alsatian at a drug dealer's house a few years back. That is a story for another time and I mention it purely as a segue to our other discussion. Though it must be said I personally have not ingested anything illegal since my early twenties when some weed laced with horse tranquilliser sent me places that were not pleasant.

It is just that LSD seems to be a gateway for some forms of wisdom.

“Francis Crick, the Nobel Prize-winning father of modern genetics, was under the influence of LSD when he first deduced the double-helix structure of DNA nearly 50 years ago.”
http://www.hallucinogens.com/lsd/francis-crick.html

Even Moses;

“Professor Shanon says the acacia tree, frequently mentioned in the Bible, contains one of the most psychedelic substances known to man. The professor, who came up with his theory after experiencing firsthand the effects of a hallucinogenic brew used in religious rituals in Brazil, said the story of Moses and the burning bush also had the hallmarks of a psychedelic experience.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-525993/Moses-high-hallucinogenic-drug-received-Ten-Commandments-claims-academic.html#ixzz2vNhRf6T3

I'd imagine the street smarts you would have gained as an officer would possibly allow you to source some of this interesting chemical.

It is said the broader your life experiences the more expansive your reaction to the drug. I have little doubt yours would furnish a very broad canvas indeed.

Well hello there POIROT...

What a nice surprise to hear from you, as I've always believed you to be one of the most astute and truly sagacious contributors we have in this Forum of ours (and Graham's).

Thank you so much to take the time to write, I appreciate it very much indeed.

'Meaning', when I was still at work, I think the concept or quality of 'meaning' was somewhat more apparent. Without engendering some hackneyed simplification like; '...looking after, and protecting the community at large...' without beating our collective chests, I occasionally thought we did do a good job, or we stopped that from happening ? But in reality, that's what we're paid for ? So those thoughts are very quickly nullified I'm afraid ?

Probably a somewhat positive 'meaning' might be our family ? Where there's been some substantial successes with our family I would say ? So that in itself gives some definite 'meaning' I would say POIROT ? You've provided me with some absorbing and provoking notions and aspirations, upon which to ponder ? Therefore, I must again thank you with all the 'meaning' I can muster POIROT ? It is sincerely meant, please believe me ?

G'day there ONTHEBEACH...

I'd have to substantiate, you'd be one of the most 'positive' or optimistic individuals I've had the pleasure to encounter, either on OLO or the Forum, ONTHEBEACH !

Having just read you latest thread, and while suppressing a brief chuckle, I've got to tell you, I went to the orthopaedic bloke last Tuesday week about my right knee which is stuffed, needs a 'knee replacement' but he reckons I'm considered to be a poor anaesthetic risk ? He's a pretty bright, jovial sort of a fella, and he said, besides having regular physio, I should try and lose a little weight, and other than that, 'just soldier on' ! As you quite succinctly put it '...we men do tend to soldier on...'! Brilliant ! Truly, laughter is certainly the best medicine !

Thank a lot ONTHEBEACH, you're a beauty !

Dear o sung wu,

What I take from the line "Rage, Rage against the dying of the light", is to do what we can to maintain mental acuity, to be aware that our life, however banal or menial, HAS HAD meaning - and continues to have meaning, particularly to those closest to us.
Physically, we can only do that which is within our capability, and, even in this, small acts can give us both pleasure and meaning - and keep the neurons 'exercised', and by so doing, keep the creep of Alzheimers or dementia at bay.
(If my fingers become incapable of operating a keyboard, I will seek software enabling me to create text from the vocalization of my thoughts. To me, communication is the key to overcoming, to contributing, to maintaining 'meaning'.)
How I wish I had listened much more to my mother and father, to gain a deeper understanding of their life stories - before it was too late. A much-regretted missed opportunity.

One can also take heart from the life of Stephen Hawking, who, although severely disabled, continues to make a contribution to science, to knowledge, and, through his revelations, to our rather more quiet and unspectacular lives.

On rifle shooting, I have never worked with black powder, but don't feel I have missed out. For me, the challenge has been to select a rifle capable of fine (but not necessarily extraordinary) performance, and to craft ammunition which could achieve the most accurate performance of which the firearm and myself would be capable. It is then up to me to coax out that performance, from the 'rig' and the 'nut behind the butt'.

As for drugs, a nice wine shared with friends is my elixir of youth. I have no need of any other, and prefer to get my 'buzz' out of life itself, good music, good movies, good conversation, and an abiding interest in the wonders of nature (and concern for its preservation).

All the best to you, o sung wu; your thoughts are just as important as any others, and we appreciate your sharing.

o sung wu, "..he said, besides having regular physio, I should try and lose a little weight,.."

Diagnosis: Dicky Knee
Treatment: (1) Leave the Chinese food alone. (2) A comely physio..

o sung wu,
In the job mate you went to work every day with a sense of expectation and a view to achievement.
You never knew what to expect but you expected it anyway and at the end of the day you went home knowing you had achieved something positive.
That sense of achievement remains with us every day and we still wake up with expectations.
The Black Dog is just like Satan who was told the "Get thee behind me"
So be it.

'evening to you SALTPETRE...

Firearms are rather curious 'tools' for me. Hunting is out of the question, as I tend to view hunting as the only sport where your competition doesn't know they're playing ? What I do like (should read admire) about firearms is the exacting engineering associated with quality guns. Generally speaking, that is something which falls within the sole purview of the European gun makers ? The Germans, Austrians, Belgians, the Finns, together with some others over there.

There's certainly nothing wrong with anything the Americans manufacture, but for fine engineering, and tight tolerances, it's the Europeans for me.

For police, you need a sidearm which is basically 'copper' proof or more correctly constable proof. That's why S & W have been a favourite for Oz coppers for years. Namely the Mod 10-3 loaded with 125gr or 115gr Hollow points to be precise for NSW. Now of course, NSW have gone across to Herr Glock's Austrian product (Mod's 17, 19, & 26) but I believe the Victorians went for a S & W in a 9mm Self Loader.

The essential difference between a six shot revolver, and a Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol, with a magazine holding 17 rounds ?

With a revolver, you can only miss your target six times ?
With a Glock 17, you can miss your target, 17 times ?

I'm very sorry SALTPETRE, 'I'm running off at the mouth' and quite off Topic ? Though, I do enjoy discussing this subject...Ironically titled 'ballistic masturbation'?

Thank you for your very kind words of support, I do appreciate it very much.

ONTHEBEACH...

No more Chinese tucker, that's OK. But a 'comely' physio ? At my age, do you wish me a heart attack ! Thanks mate, I do appreciate it.