I read in The Age today that Victoria has one of the happiest population, well at least, happier than those living in expensive Sydney.

According to the article, happiness depends on several factors, including disposable income, health and family. I like to think that anyone can be happy, and happiness really depends on oneself, not where we live. I like to think that I may be poor as a church mice and still be happy or is that a concept that belongs to days gone and not to the present?

I’ve been following the current news events around the world surrounding the cartoon controversy. Reading today’s Age online, I read that one of Australian’s famous blogger, Tim Blair, has put the cartoons on his blog. Thus far, all the main publications have resisted printing those cartoons.

My main concerns have been the reactions of the protesters. To say shock is an understatement. All the violence, because of 12 cartoons. It is belittling that people can react in such manners, declaring violence, revenge and war.

I wish, for more tolerance on all sides, and more importantly, for a more moderate, temperate reaction instead of what we have observed so far. I am glad to read the comments on the Age Blogs, indicates the case.

I read in the papers today about the police requesting for more speed cameras on the road. The reasons given being to reduce accidents. But can speed cameras really do that?

My cynical self thinks this attempt is only to increase the coffers of the related entities; be it the state government or the company who gets the contract to maintain these speed cameras.

I can not imagine, nor believe, the typical car hoon who loves to road race, drive dangerously, under the influence of alcohol and drug would care enough to slow down for speed cameras. Many drivers have taken to slowing down in front of speed cameras before speeding up again once they are far enough away. Unless there is a speed camera every ten metres, I can not see these changing the mis-behaviours of drivers.

Now, if these speed cameras are to say, trigger an alarm when it detects speeding vehicles, or vehicles moving erratically, and thus activates a speed trap that disables the vehicle further down the road by either a stoppage by a police vehicle or one of those things that puncture the tyres, then I’m all for it. If the actions to bad behaviour is not swift and just, there will be more bad behaviour of drivers on the roads.

I read somewhere in the past week that top level managers of large corporations are giving themselves pay raise in the vicinity of 5 times the inflation rate?

I imagine, if the company is doing well, then everyone working in that company should benefit from the additional profit.
But I can’t imagine the typical teller sitting at the front of a bank is getting a pay raise of around what, 12%, just like their bosses. If they did, I am sure all of them will be greeting their customers with a large smile and will be extra polite.

In the case of Telstra, one would be hard pushed to determine how it can be making money when it has a loan to pay dividends.

So, if you are ever asked about a pay raise, be sure to mention what the bosses received, around 12% increase.

The end of the Australian Open heralds the beginning of the Swimming Trials for the Commonwealth Games. This event is being held at the Melbourne Aquatic Centre.

I think I stopped following the events because there is always a world record broken or a games record broken by the usual suspects. I think I’ll only tuned on to swimming during the commonwealth games, which incidentally, is in 43 days time.