…boys toys!

Archive for the ‘Serious Stuff’ Category

Recently  – I wrote a piece about Geoff Holt the quadriplegic sailor preparing to set out to be the first quadriplegic to sail the Atlantic unassisted. Well this morning he set out at 10am local time to do just that – and plans to arrive in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands in 17 days time. As well as the challenge of the expedition, this is a bit of an emotional journey for Geoff as it was in Tortola that Geoff had the accident that caused his disability in 1984.

I only met Geoff a couple of weeks ago – he’s a fantastic guy, great sense of humour, and has a warmth to him that leaves you feeling like you’ve known him for years…

Suffice it is to say that I wish Geoff and his team (personal assistant Susana and cameraman Digby) the best of luck and a safe journey across the pond!

If you’d like to know more about Geoff you can read his story in his book Walking on Water

Every now and then in life you meet someone who really makes an impression on you. Last Saturday I had the honour of meeting Geoff Holt and his lovely assistant Susana…

Geoff was the fist quadriplegic to sail single handed around Great Britain – and is currently preparing to become the fist quadriplegic to cross the Atlantic unassisted with the sailing and navigation of his boat, Impossible Dream. Susana is accompanying Geoff to help with his personal needs

His boat is currently moored at our local marina. It’s a seriously impressive catamaran with his name all over it! The 60 foot boat has been purpose built by  a fellow disabled sailor (on loan to Geoff for the voyage) – is worth, I was told, in the region of $3,000,000!

I wish Geoff and Susana a safe and enjoyable crossing when they set off on the 10th of December and are looking forward to following their adventures on Geoff’s website – www.geoffholt.com. Do please give him your support…

In the light of yesterday’s review of the bible I published, I thought I’d take a look and see if there was a similar style review of the Qur’an on Amazon and found this… Certainly a big difference in the intelligence levels of the authors. This is neither numerous or entertaining in the same way…

The real Quran, August 4, 2009

I bought this copy to read about the seventy-two virgins that a Muslim gets when he blows himself and someone else up. And the requirement that a Muslim kill at least f

Good luck to all our boys and girls from the US, UK, Canada and all the other nations involved in the fighting Iraq and Afghanistan. Be safe!

“In peace the sons bury their fathers, but in war the fathers bury their sons”.

The news around the planet yesterday was the story about Barrack Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Price. But what the hell exactly is it for?

Barack Obama’s only achievement I can see to date is becoming the first black President. No mean feat, a piece of history as we all felt, but that in itself does not warrant this accolade.

I really like the guy, and in my opinion he has the makings of becoming a fine President. But that’s just it – he has the makings – but hasn’t actually completed anything of any magnitude yet. In Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East  people on both sides of the conflicts are still dying, and the Iranians and the Chinese continue to murder their own people – business as usual!

The Nobel people have been out to kiss ass and get themselves more news coverage than usual. They have, and it has backfired on them. They should be ashamed of how this has overshadowed the deserving winners in Science, Literature and other disciplines, who have worked hard, achieved great things and enriched the human experience.

I suspect this will have made Barack Obama somewhat embarrased, he really didn’t need this kind of coverage right now.

Wonder what he’s going to spend the $1.4 million prize on? He should really do the decent thing and give it away…

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage)