I wonder how many of us have bought a book, that we really didn't want, and probably never had any intention of reading ? I did buy such a book recently, titled; 'Through Thick and Thin', an autobiography by; Gok WAN.

I'm sure we've all had to suffer with these irritating advertisements on TV for stuff we apparently can't do without ? Many are for women's apparel, offered by the immense 'Target' organisation, and being promoted by none other than, Mr Gok WAN himself !

All of Gok's advertisements tend to show a svelte, tallish and radiant young bloke, complete with a beaming countenance, and surrounded by a bevy of young beauties, seemingly with the world at their feet ?

However, if one were to give his book even the most cursory look, you would not see an image of young Gok, as he appears now on our TV's ? You see, our young friend is obviously of Asian extract, though he was born in the UK and lived most of his young life in a Leicester housing estate. His parents ran a Chinese restaurant, and it was quite normal within the Gok household, that he and his siblings were relatively well fed.

In fact so much so, his weight increased to a massive 21 stone ! He was therefore characterized as the proverbial 'fat kid' at school ! Then of course, he was Asian, so he was often the object of racist taunts. Another problem he discovered earlier on in his young life, he found he was gay. All these pressures on young Gok, meant he did very poorly (academically) at school. What really got him down, he was constantly bullied !

Sometimes, when we finally delve more closely into a book we never wanted, nor had any desire to read, we learn so much about ourselves, and the awful coercion and iniquity, we may inadvertently occasioned upon some of our young more fragile and vulnerable folk, particularly those in our care. Fantastically, Gok managed to get past it all, and good on him for that.

Dear o sung wu,

Thank you for relating what appears to have been a quite unexpected unveiling of someone's life story and its impact on you personally.

My book can not claim to have delivered quite such rewards for me but it was certainly more engaging than I first imagined. It qualifies mainly because it was a purchase I didn't really want to make, in a little second hand bookshop in north west Victoria, but the title was the clincher;

The Best Hated Man in Australia – the Life and Death of Percy Brookfield 1875 to 1921.

The writing is not brilliant I'm afraid, but there is enough there to ascertain what an extraordinary man Percy was.

Here is the back cover blurb;

'They don't make politicians like 'Jack” Brookfield anymore. From mining underground in Broken Hill he rose like a meteor in public life to be possibly the most extreme anti-politician ever to be elected in this country. The Great War and the years that followed saw unprecedented political turmoil in Australia and Brookfield was in the thick of it. By the time he was fatally shot at Riverton in South Australia, Brookfield held the balance of power in NSW and had played major roles in many of the era's main political and industrial events, the Big Strike, the plot of the 'IWW Twelve' to burn down Sydney, and the bitter national conscription debate.”

It is larger than life characters like Percy whose actions seem to have resonated into the present who make me appreciate being an Australian, yet I had not heard of him until making my chance purchase.

O sung, I'm a bit if a sucker for a perceived bargain myself.

I think the latest scam is the free 30 day trial offer, whereby you get 30 days to try something and, if you're not happy, or even if you have just changed your mind, you simply pay $19.95, return the item (within the 30 day period) and get a full refund, provided the item is returned in an 'as received' condition, including original packaging.

Of cause, you have already paid the postage to receive the item, and you have to pay to return it, so essentially, the seller has rented it to you for $19.95 for one month.

Not a bad return on an item that most likely cost them a couple of hundred dollars.

Dear o sung wu,

I can honestly say that I've never bought a book
that I didn't want or had any intention of not reading.
I'm very fussy about what I do spend my money on - as
far as books are concerned. I do my investigations
prior to purchase. Also working in a library and having
access to all the new books published - sort of spoils
me for choice. However, I was given a book as a
Birthday present that I just can't seem to get interested
in reading. Ben Elton's novel, "Two Brothers."
I tried to read it - but simply couldn't get interested.
It's apparently about Germany as she marches towards its
Nazi Armageddon. I suppose I should give it another try,
and I probably will - just not yet.

Thank You for being so open with us and sharing your
experience. It's actually made me want to read your book.
The guy sounds like an interesting character.

Good afternoon to you both STEELREDUX and REHCTUB...

Percy BROOKFIELD, 'The Best Hated Man in Australia' ? Gee whiz, the title alone would be sufficient rationale for me to at least have a quick peek to see what it's all about ? He sounds to be an extraordinary Australian character, who mixed with some of the tougher elements of our earlier, industrial/political history. Broken Hill in those days, sure was an industrial melting pot, with some of the toughest unionist around who were prepared to take on any government who had the temerity to displease them.

I could only imagine how Billy Hughes and his cronies felt, trying to impose compulsory 'anything' let alone conscription, with the likes of BROOKFIELD and his industrial heavies opposing him ?

You also mentioned, you thought the book was not that well formulated ? Do you believe it was written for the period, or with a particular readership in mind ?

An interesting footnote I would've thought, is the quaint way they avoided a messy (Aussie styled) parliamentary impeachment process, during those halcyon days, they simply shot him ? Today, such a practice would not be thought, quite so politically correct ?

And g'day to you too BUTCH...

Oh so true ! I always wonder with such deals if I'm getting a product the has been returned by another ? Used for the 30 day period, returned to the Vendor, and silly me ends up with a 'second hand' product ? They advertise so many 'appealing' gadgets, contrivances, even tools - spanners that adjust themselves etc.

And stupid here, responding to his own rapidly advancing dotage, buys 'em ! Notwithstanding I have a full set of Sidchrome sockets and spanners, go figure eh ? I'll admit to purchasing 'computer cushions' special eye glasses that double as binoculars, several magazine subscriptions (they're quite OK 'I think'). Anything that represents a 'tool' attracts my attention, like moths to a illuminated globe. It's fortunate my good wife isn't as bad as her profligate husband, eh Butch ?

Thank you both for your contributions, I appreciate them immensely.

Hello FOXY...

Firstly, I sincerely hope your health is fine and continues to remain so. Might I also inquire as to whether you know if BELLY is OK ? Or is he merely taking a well earned rest ? I ask simply because you seem to be on quite good terms, both in your respective ideologies, as well as your rapport within OLO ?

Thank you also for taking the time to respond to this rather banal topic, as evidenced by the fact that it has not generated much discussion, nor will it I fear ?

To the Topic at hand, I really applaud your discipline apropos any purchases you may decide to make, in relation to books. Myself, I'm a dedicated reader, and rather fussy both on the substance of the book as well as the author. Regrettably, if I find it difficult to 'penetrate' the overall thrust of the story (if fictional), I'll often put it aside and move on to another book. I'm inherently lazy, therefore I'll not spend too much time on it, before I discard it altogether.

I've just finished a Swedish (fictionally) trilogy, 'The Disciple' (a single book) followed by, 'Dark Secrets' (The Sebastian Bergman Chronicles), (2 x books) by Michael Hjorth & Hans Rosenfeldt. Initially these three books taxed my patience to it's limit !

So complicated were the characters and place names, it was necessary to incorporate a simple matrix, in order to easily identify, both the players and the locations, and that assisted me enormously. These three books were absolutely brilliant, so much so I'm checking around to find further works published by these two Swedish authors !

Not being favoured with much intellectual prowess myself, I find that some books, demand considerable perseverance initially, until the characters and themes, finally unify coherently ?

I have in my somewhat sedate life, a daily morning ritual? I (alone) attend my favourite coffee shop, and leisurely consume (consecutively) two very hot flat white coffees, and read my current book. N I R V A N A !

Dear o sung wu,

Thank You for asking about my health.
I have good days and some not so good.
It is a work in progress and I'll know more
after my procedure in July.
I'm going to have to again begin to limit my time on the forum.
It's apparently affecting my well being at times.
It's time to take another break for a while.

I don't know how Belly is doing or whether he'll
be coming back. I know as much as anyone else does
on this forum. If anyone does know more - we'd
certainly appreciate learning about what's he's doing.
I miss him. We didn't always agree - but he was a good
friend to me and supported me during some difficult
personal times. Especially when I was diagnosed with
bowel cancer a few years back. A gentleman, and a
man of integrity. We need more Belly's on the forum.

I'm pleased to learn that you're an avid reader.
And I would love to join you for your morning cuppa.
That would be great! Instead I'll think of you as I
have mine and continue with my re-reading of
Li Cunxin's book, "Mao's Last Dancer."
Fabulous!

O sung old mate, you amaze me. No not with your purchase of a book, but with your claim to owning a full set Sidchrome sockets and spanners.

Didn't you have any kids. If you did, were they all artistic types, who would never think of dirtying their hands with things mechanical. Hell even my youngest artistic daughter used to "borrow" tools from my shed to muck with things.

In fact it was probably her who never returned such borrowed items, my son had enough sense, usually, to realise they were easier to find next time, if returned. I just found my bush "bow" saw beside a cupboard in my granny flat she was inhabiting recently. What the hell she would have used that for, I can't imagine.

I don't think I have ever bought a book I did not intend reading, although there were some acquired by swap with other yachties in out of the way places that I was not all that interested in opening.

No it is magazine subscriptions that are my weakness. Yes I have canceled a few, but still have more than I need. Some can sit for weeks without being read. It is always just after deciding to stop one that a really good article appears in the next issue, & all is forgiven.

At least now, the next time I need my 1/4" whitworth or BSF ring spanner, long since disappeared, probably into my sons toolbox, I'll know where to come.

o sung wu,

Have you considered a Kindle Paperwhite?

A cheap and convenient solution.

Hi there FOXY...We should all look after our health. Without reasonable health, there's nothing really. I share your concerns apropos BELLY ? I've always liked and admired both his integrity, morality and his principles. Notwithstanding we're diametrically opposed, with our respective political beliefs ? That said, I could only wish that one of our own garrulous LNP politicians, possessed an ounce of the integrity, that BELLY has in spades. I trust he'll return here very soon !

Morning book reading and my consecutive, two cups of coffee, are what heaven must be like ? It would be really nice for those on the Forum to have a coffee or two together ? Or would it ? Perhaps it's the anonymity, the sense of the unknown, that's the amalgam that binds us all together ? Me, duplicitously describing myself as being 6'6" with the looks of Rock Hudson...? Gee, that would be illusionary, to say the least ?

Hi there ONTHEBEACH...

I purchased a Kindle from a Dick Smith Store. In fact I got the newer model, which is 'back lit' and much easier to read ? I paid a modest, $145.00 + - for it. It came with quite a number of free books already down-loaded into the thing.

With the help of my good wife, I played around with it for a bit, decided it was not for me and it's now in the care, custody and control of my sister in law, who I understand makes good use of it ?

Mate, I'm quite dense with any of these electronic gismos. I find it immensely difficulty to use, even with much tutoring on it.

I like a book to be a 'book', a tactile object that I can manipulate in anyway I choose - I'm also given to inscribing marginal notes, particularly with legal texts (which no longer applies now I'm retired) even now with non-fiction books. You must appreciate, ONTHEBEACH, you're dealing with a very bourgeois even obsolescent individual ?

However, thanks you BOTH for your thoughtful contributions.

G'day there HASBEEN...

I amaze myself sometimes, though I cannot take any real comfort from the claim of being the proud owner of a full set of 'Sidies' ? You see, some time ago I was the owner of a full set of 'Gedore', both in Metric and Imperial SAE. Until one day a certain son of mine decided to adjust the gears and hubs on his bike ? After promising faithfully he'd return the said tools to the container from which they belonged.

Thus began a long odyssey of sad loss, misadventure and tribulation, involving some well meaning neighbours, number 2 son, and others who've not dared to exhibit their collective 'mushes' around this humble abode ever again.

Then came the day where I frantically looked down upon the battered container that hitherto, housed my proud set of fine German Gedore's, noticing the many empty recesses that no longer contained any facade of my beloved tools.

Until I was finally overcome with that deep anguish that can only be brought about by the knowledge of the many 'wayward' sockets and a 'driver' or two, can ? And it is for this reason, why I have this pristine set of 'Sidies', still in their virgin state, and never to touch anything that resembles a bolt, a stud or anything else for that matter.

I sincerely hope HASBEEN, this brief explanation will serve in some small way, to describe the events of retaining the Sidchrome set in it's entirety ?

Many thanks ol' man, for your thoughtful contribution to this banal topic.

o sung wu,
We all "look back in anger" at times and when I sit, as I am at the moment, at my desk with the cat perched high up on a book case about to launch itself across to the other side of the shelving via my laptop keyboard I am astounded at the number of books, mainly paperbacks, that I have accumulated from various 'Vinnes" and garage sales simply because I forgot to read them years ago and for some reason as my days grow shorter I believe that I might yet get around to a "good read"

Good evening to you CHRISGAFF1000...

I fully appreciate your reflection and thoughts on 'your days growing shorter'...? Similarly with clothing. Conflicting decisions as to whether to discard a shirt, trousers or a jacket simply because it no longer fits you ? But you never know it'll probably fit OK next summer ? Who in hell are we kidding eh ? We said the same thing three or four years ago, yet this old clothing is still occupying a peg or a coat hanger in the dark recesses of our wardrobe ?

Is it because we're afraid to throw it out, or place it in one of those pink charity bags ? By precipitously discarding our favourite old clothing, is it not symbolic of prematurely casting aside our youth, even yielding too soon to the ravages of old age before we must ?

Your multitude of paperback books, you never know you'll get around to reading them someday ? Besides, if you gave them away, wherever would your cat sit, while you're at your desk ? If for no other reason, you must provide appropriate seating for your beloved cat ?

You're right my friend, our days are getting significantly shorter ? And I have no idea how to apply the brakes, in order to lengthen those days ? No idea as to whether or not, our 'lives' even provides for a suitable braking mechanism ? No idea at all Chris ?

Take it easy my friend.

o sung wu,

I preferred Snap-On tools and would choose them again, especially for their girl clocks. Very tasteful, just Google. But then I resolved to buy more Windsor Smith shoes (and have kept to it) ever since the Oz feminist brutes were 'horrified' by the cute brunette in the 1985 advertisement,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3giZzPrzHk

OK, some Snap-On clocks,

http://tinyurl.com/snapon-clocks

Don't fuss the small stuff, some books were always destined to remain un-read. Live in the moment and enjoy life.

G'day again ONTHEBEACH...

I couldn't agree with you more, '...live in the moment and enjoy life...'. A marvellous piece of sound advice my friend, and thank you very much for sharing your sage advice.

Take care.

o sung wu,
Sad but true.
I had a "Black and White" last week.
Usually I keep away from them but this one had a few old mates. Generals Cosgrove and Jeffries, one of whom actually served under my command in a far off place that should never be mention in good company, and a whole bunch of 'old glory' types teetering on the same edge as us.
I went to that dark corner in the wardrobe and dug out my military #1's and found my middle had grown far beyond the limits of the jackets stretch capacity then came out the old police dress uniform only to find that it had faded into a mottled blue hue with mildew.
A quick trip to the hire shop and there I was, another penguin in the sorry old bunch that "makes up the number"
Later I waded through that wardrobe and found a lot of totally useless garments that I discarded ( I did keep the badges and insignia for the grandkids though) but it was a fruitful trip down memory lane.
Funny how now a pair of old shorts that keep falling off my hips and a well worn and holy singlet out of 'Rivers' becomes a more respected uniform amongst my peers than a whole wardrobe full of highlights in the 'passing parade' of mixed careers.

G'day there CHRISGAFF1000...

It's good to keep those memories I reckon. They may not mean much to others, but to you, to me, and many men of similar persuasion, they mean a lifetime of not always pleasant experiences ? Still and all if life was merely just a smooth uneventful ride, whatever would we have to talk about, or more to the point, bitch about ? As I patiently wait my turn in God's waiting room, I reflect back to the Army, the coppers, and now my 'threadbare' retirement. Wondering if I'd stayed in (Army), and done twenty years, what would've happened ?

I see General Cosgrove's been appointed GG now, as well as being elevated to the first Aussie Knighthood for over twenty years. Did you ever cross his path Chris, either here of in SV ? Actually, I never had the pleasure myself. I think he'll make a reasonable GG, he's quite popular, rather him than another 'left leaning' academic or former politician, I reckon we've all had enough of them personally !

o sung wu,
Yes I 'served under Cosgrove' in Nam and again in Command HQ when they pulled me out and set me up for an MD. Actually I outweighed him on the "lists' but he had the wider theatre experience and cultural background.
My 'chicken" was a field badge anyway and when I got back they cut it back to a 'half'. Still got the pay and the pension. They gave me an Armored Corp base at Annerley, Old. sorting out the Centurions good and bad 20 pounder barrels for rebore or recycle.
Ran into Cosgrove in the wake of cyclone Yasi. He was the boss and I was the disaster coordinator.
My boss was Maj. Gen. Jeffery who ran a dozen or more immediate disaster response teams. Doctor, nurse, transport officer, engineer, Warranted ex senior copper and a couple of expert goffers who reminded me of my batman.
Cosgrove will make a good GG mate because he will do what has to be done with dignity, decorum and decision.
Everything that makes a good general

'evening to you CHRISGAFF1000...

By gosh you have crammed a lot into your life haven't you ? I understood you held an Army commission, but I had no idea the circles in which you served ? I must say you certainly enjoyed a fine military career, why ever did you resign your commission in favour of the NSWPOL ? Military prestige usurped absolutely any esteem that you may've gained in the coppers ? Anyway, it was obviously a very personal decision, a decision if I've read it correctly, is not entirely one of profound regret ?

I should admit right up front, though a regular, I rose to the dizzy heights of Cpl, no more. And I completed my six years 'period of enlistment', with a somewhat routine service record intact. Nevertheless it did remain unblemished for the entire six years. Which I suppose illustrated conclusively, I was just another unremarkable nondescript junior NCO ?

I agree with you totally on the appointment of our Governor General designate. It's most appropriate (and politically smart?) to have a highly regarded, decorated Military Officer to represent the Queen. I don't believe even the crazy 'greens' could find fault with such a individual ? I also believe we should all appreciate his 'kind', because there are worrying signs, the likes of Gen. Cosgrove and his former cohorts, are a rapidly disappearing breed ?

Thanks again Chris for taking the time to contribute to this somewhat banal topic, in any event, I really do appreciate it.

o sung wu,
I was way past my "use by date" as far as the army was concerned. I tried to introduce Americanisms of efficiency, effectiveness and empathy where vets were concerned.
I always knew there would be long lingering psychological problems back in civvy street for the vets coming home.
They showed me the door and I walked out basically one of the victims.
The police force seemed the logical next step.
Right now I am building the LNP offices in the far north as my contribution to a better form of government.
I am also in the Supreme Court on a brief that seeks to have the concepts of bias and decision makers balanced in presentation of natural justice. All pro bono pro publica.
It keeps me busy and the 'black dogs" at bay.

Hi there CHRISGAFF1000...

Your 'pro bono' work in the Supreme Court, would keep an entire pack of these damn 'black dogs' at bay I would've thought ? Still, working within such a high strata of the justice system, would certainly keep your brain from languishing and stagnating ?

You leaving the Army and entering the police, as 'a logical next step', is something I can well appreciate. Though the roles differ significantly, the structure and orderliness are not that divergent in my opinion. There are many in the job who served in all branches of the Military, consequently many of them held analogous views, not unlike yours - 'it seemed to be the next logical step' ?

As a former Army (Commissioned) Officer, did NSWPOL offer you anything above and beyond normal entry into the job ? What I'm trying to say, was there any hint or suggestion of some sort of lateral entry, or even accelerated or precipitated promotion, even offering you a higher pay scale on entry ?

I've always believed, if you wish to lockup a smart crook, you first need a smart copper ! While I was still around, there were many of these young blokes and girls who were slowly emerging throughout the lower echelons of the CIB. Among them, there were some pretty smart young detectives amid them also?

Blokes of my generation, though we had a bit of the old street credibility, the more organised, smarter crooks tended to circumvent many of the processes that we and DPP would put in place. And we'd end up losing it in Court, if not in Court, on appeal ? Consequently, many of those we locked up were mere minnows, and not the people higher up ?

It was the various Task Forces' that tended to get the desired results for the Commissioner ? Probably because of an injection of the additional resources, and the topical gravitas of the operation at hand ?

We managed to put a few runs on the board, that's all that matters at the end of the day ?