aha . Be wary of armed, celibate firemen:
" OKCatholic Jun '09
The psych eval isn’t bad.. My archdiocese has a psychiatrist we send all of our potential seminarians to (who also evaluates applicants to the police academy, highway patrol, firefighters, etc.). We met in his office and he asked very simple questions about my life, interests, hobbies, activities, childhood.. . Then the psychiatrist and I just talked about the Church and about seminary and priestly life. .. My final evaluation was formulated by the psychiatrist and sent to the vocations office. . Better than the physical exam. That I didn’t care for."

Hi Andy,
"I'm not insulted, as to take insult from a comment, made by some no name, low-life, who feels the need to stick his nose in and comment, on a subject they admittedly know nothing about, would indicate a level of low intelligence on my behalf."

Mate. I think you're going to fit in just fine.
Welcome to the forum.

ttbn, you may have fallen into a trap, I don't know. As for "Andy" could be Australia's answer to who? Getting a lot of helpful "how to" advice from the lads, again I don't know, nor do they. "Andy" now indicates he is taking his bat and ball and going to another playground <<I (Andy) clearly stumbled into the wrong forum, and will look elsewhere.>>
Anyone is welcome to throw in their two cents worth here, the forum is a free world, and as the French would say Au Revoir "Andy".

Paul,

Don't know about any trap. Copped one of Lavis's regular foul-mouthed smears. He has a thing about other mens' dicks. Hope Andy enjoys the weekend playing with bang bangs. Is Mise too, if he can get his foot out of his mouth. I'm off to the bush until next week. No wi fi. Might meet some sane people.

"I'm off to the bush until next week"

Enjoy yourself. I am jealous and a bit annoyed with myself that the last couple of years I haven't taken full advantage of the colder months to go West. Time to think again about that jar with the pebbles and sand, getting the priorities straight.

One of the reasons I used to get away often was my interest in photography. However, I now find it a burden to be carrying bulky gear. Or is it more the problem of protecting it? There are 'tea leaves' everywhere, a modern curse. Must start mooching around for a compact with rangefinder to fit a large pocket.

Hi there TTBN & LEOJ...

Ah love the bush, especially out in the Broken Hill area, Silverton and environs. I'm not a great photographer, but I have a distinct fondness for a group or artists aptly named the 'Brush-Men of the Bush, most of them were located at the 'Hill'. Chief among them is/was the late Pro HART with his vivid colours, and very 'blue' blues and earthen ground features. Then there's Geo. KENDELL; Howard Wm. STEER with is brilliant 'Flying Doctor' series, to mention but a few.

Please don't get me wrong, I know squat about art, only what I like, and in my opinion many of our Aussie Artists are as good as you'll get anywhere within the parameters of their individual styles. Look at the works of Tom ROBERTS, utterly brilliant. While it's true whenever you mention the great masters, most think of Europe; de VINCI; MICHELANGELO; RAPHAEL; GAINSBOROUGH; AND VELAZQUEZ, to mention just a few, I don't think we're doing too badly given what a young Nation we really are? I was most fortunate to travel to some of the great Galleries of the world to see the works of some of these fabled Masters.

I was a relieving sergeant in the bush for awhile, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. A great learning curve, and I learnt so much from our indigenous people, especially about the difficulties they have with their young. A high suicide rate unfortunately. Much of it precipitated by chronic unemployment, excessive alcohol, substance abuse (petrol, kero & glue) and illicit use of opiates. While domestic violence was rampant among many of them, a major problem from these greatly mis-understood and enormously proud Australians? Every copper should do at least six months in the bush! With his eyes and ears wide open - and his mouth firmly glued shut!

Please enjoy yourself TTBN, and we'll no doubt speak with you again on your return.