Author Archives: henryhenrycollins

I have spent many years, and have run appropriate courses, trying to convince people that we can all sing. We are singing animals. Place your hand on your windpipe and feel your voice box. We all have one. Now speak and notice how the sound of your voice goes up and down, and gets louderContinue reading “The cost of seeking excellence”

Since I lost my mobile phone and didn’t replace it, I can look at the world in a new light. One issue struck me today – the lack of respect by users of mobile phones. Remember when, as a couple, it was polite to acknowledge the presence of the other person and continue to interact?Continue reading “Manners?”

I thought when I retired that there would be unlimited time to do many things. However, it seems that the pressures of work have been replaced by a myriad of other demands, and time seems to slip away in fulfilling the new obligations. Let’s look at them: Medical One expects old age to reveal aContinue reading “The new stresses of old age 2”

One would think that life would get easier after retirement. With no obligation to travel daily and deliver at work, no family to look after and no obligation to talk to obnoxious people. Plenty of time to pursue hobbies, to read and exercise. What went wrong? It seems the pressure is still there, but different.Continue reading “The new stresses of old age 1”

Australia is coping with widespread disasters – mainly floods at present. Previously, it was the the devastation caused by bush fires. The cost of the damage to houses and household property is inevitably borne by the owners as they are seen as responsible for building in areas that are at risk of flooding or surroundedContinue reading “Sue ’em!”

Recently, I lost my mobile phone. I have been without one for the past few weeks and have no regrets. I am thinking of starting a new organisation with the title MFS, the letters standing for Mobile Free Society. Owning a mobile phone automatically puts one in chains. Think of all the obligations involved. Firstly,Continue reading “Join my club!”

In my previous blog I pointed out that capitalism works for those citizens with the opportunity to earn more than a living wage and, therefore accumulate extra funds to invest; and against those who earn a wage or salary. But there are further inequities to consider. A just society looks after those who cannot affordContinue reading “Capitalism deficient”

I’ll bet you feel helpless like me – that there is nothing we can do to stop this war. We can only sit back and watch events while hoping it will end soon. But perhaps there is something we can do. Remember Covid? Which part of the daily news impacted you most? Not the numberContinue reading “Tackling Putin”

The Covid epidemic has highlighted aspects of society which have been ignored previously. Of critical importance is the contribution of the many citizens who depend on a wage or salary. Until Covid became widespread, these workers were overlooked. Now, only because there is a shortage of staff, and we are all at risk, do weContinue reading “Capitalism at fault”

As an old codger who has survived more than eight decades, it only struck me recently that we spend too much time in anticipation. I even wrote a poem about it (see below). It seems to be more important to plan, prepare for, and dwell on future events and to find most of our satisfactionContinue reading “Living the now”