The only impressive thing about Paul Keating was his five o’clock shadow, he had a penchant for Armani suits and designer wear, but I felt this was a ruse designed to gloss over his deficiencies. Keating was a flawed personality, he was forever seeking legitimacy, he wanted to be the centre of attention, he wanted all the accolades for himself.

Keating suffers from not only self importance, his inflated ego blends with his legendary arrogance ensuring every news conference is all about him. Instead, Keating was all about abuse, he was known for his put downs; however, this was just a distraction for his lack of substance. What Keating really achieved is the demise of political standards, he presided over the proliferation of personal abuse and the lowering of parliamentary standards. All Keating ever did was sit up at night looking for personal slurs to level at people whilst conveniently overlooking his own glaring shortcomings.

We all know the brains of the operation was Bob Hawke who earned a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, as a Rhodes Scholar, Hawke’s research was based on wage determination. Keating on the other hand was a union lacky, no formal education, never had a real job outside of politics. Well, how could he? He never had any qualifications, no university studies for law, accounting or finance. Despite his working class background, Keating had no trade either so apart from flouncing around union offices, he had no actual work experience – it really showed.

I am a big fan of Omega, this relates to not only their current range of timepieces but their legacy range as well. Of their current range, the Constellation is viewed as their dress watch along with the De Ville. Both the Seamaster and Speedmaster are functional tool watches with specific roles, the Constellation is an elegant variant of their range. With George Clooney product ambassador for the Speedmaster, the Constellation is left to the elegance of Nicole Kidman to promote.  

The design hails back to the 1950s, this is a pretty decent era of style, some may argue timeless. The Speedmaster was released in 1957, the Seamaster nearly a decade earlier in 1948 with the Constellation released in 1952 as Omega’s first chronometer. On my then regular trips overseas, I frequented Omega boutiques allowing me to be given their catalog booklets. This allows me to research posts via officially published material, what is also interesting is the Omega museum and registering timepieces online at Omega.

What immediately stands out for me on the reference 2852/2853 Constellation series is the chamfered dial, sometimes known as the pie-pan dial with diamond index markers and star symbol in the lower face below the hand pivot. The Constellation was released with an automatic movement certified as a chronometer, the Manhattan style with claws on the bezel. During the quartz crisis of the 1970s to 1980s, the range was fitted with a quartz movement later reverted back to chronometer certified automatic movements.

For me, Nicole Kidman is the ultimate range ambassador and although the range has evolved over the decade, the Manhattan series with the single link stainless steel band with gold intermediate sections epitomises the modern Constellation. Significant updates included straight index markers on the dial with Roman numerals on the bezel. Whilst I won’t be purchasing the Constellation myself, I can certainly admire this timepiece for its style even if it doesn’t suit mine. 

So I ask myself when I see QAnon materials published online regarding Q drops that are supposedly written by Q [actually written by many], but who actually believes this stuff? Unfortunately this is not just weirdos in the United States anymore, with an interconnected world and social media, these crazy conspiracy theories have spread beyond the shores of the United States to most countries now.

So what is QAnon? Well, it is [according to them] a high level US government official releasing secret information regarding government brokered pedophile rings, cannibalism and child trafficking. This is all run by the Democratic Party with Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and George Soros leading the organisation named the Cabal of Satanic Cannibalistic Abuse of Children. Whenever I am on social media and I see any individual writing about the cabal, I know I am dealing with a moron.

Then there was Pizzagate, this was where the Democratic Party was alleged to have trafficked children through the Comet Ping Pong Pizzeria in Washington DC in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election. This was really the lead-in to QAnon. When Edgar Maddison entered the restaurant with an AR-15 and let some shots off demanding to view the basement where he alleges child trafficking was occurring, he was not only arrested, it proved there was no basement with child trafficking going on.

Down in Texas, a Congressional spokesperson demanded to see the jetty at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas. The business premises are situated on the Rio Grande river separating the United States and Mexico. Where the interference originated was the unwillingness to build Trump’s border wall through their property as it would have effectively cut their property in half. They sought a court injunction to stop the construction of the wall on their property and were successful in doing so.

The anti-vaccination group pre-dates QAnon, they believe vaccines cause autism in children and have been pushing this lie since the 1990s. What is even more funny is they believe they are engaging in research by accessing a few crazy websites dedicated to the anti-vaccination cause. Research is what scientists do, they work in a lab and conduct experiments then publish peer reviewed articles, they share knowledge and outcomes. Running an anti-vaccination website filled with dubious claims is not research, this is misrepresentation of information containing clear cognitive biases.

Then there are the fake moon landing theories, despite the fact that every country in the world acknowledges the US landed men on the moon in 1969, there are still people who believe otherwise. They parrot the Van Allen Belt, the lack of stars in the photographs, the belief that the US flag is flapping in the wind or the camera technology. All this is easily explained by logic, a rudimentary knowledge of physics is all that is required.

On earth, the launch of the mighty Saturn V rocket was viewed by people on the ground and received saturation television coverage. Whilst the Apollo program were the only moon landing missions, subsequent programs such as the space shuttle missions were viewed by many. Anyone who had immigration permission to enter the United States could go to Cape Canaveral and witness a space shuttle launch from a non-restricted viewing area. People saw the Apollo and space shuttle mission launches, they can see it isn’t fake.

Almost immediately after the World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks, conspiracy theorists began pedelling their lies. The whole world saw the footage of the aircraft hitting the twin towers, we saw the fires created by the jet fuel and we could see how intense the heat was. The footage of the towers collapsing was witnessed by people glued to their televisions, yet many still claimed it was the US government that set charges off under the buildings.

The Leeuwin Estate Prelude series is a pretty decent bottle of wine; it comes at the right price point for the quality. An Art series chardonnay is around $140 per bottle, at $35, the Prelude series is more value orientated, but around the $30 – $35 mark depending on where you purchase it, this is not a cheap bottle of wine. Clearly the Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are premium products rating highly at international shows and tastings.

Ok, so what makes the Prelude series a decent drop? Other than the obvious discount to the Art series., the Prelude still offers oak maturation and premium fruit. I have found the Prelude Series chardonnay to be pretty crisp whilst still offering refined oak characteristics. The Prelude Cabernet Sauvignon at $35 per bottle exudes subtle blueberry and cherry flavours whilst maintaining a pretty decent complexity of structure. All in all, I find the Prelude Series a decent drop for drinking alone or with my father whilst saving the Art Series for those special occasions.

The Woodman Point Munitions Jetty is a well known diving and fishing site, I don’t know how many times I dived here, it was plenty of times, that I know. It is a great dive in the morning when an onshore breeze is blowing, when the sea breeze came in during the afternoon, forget it,as it was skuzzed out and the visability is terrible.

So, I am scanning my memory, I liked diving here, but it had to be the right conditions though, an easterly breeze blowing across the shore. No westerly breeze, and definitely no south westers, as Cockburn Sound has all its seagrass chewed up from the dredging beginning in the 1960s, the limestone sea bottom is gone and all that is left is a powdery silt bottom.

The visibility is non-existent, the seagrass beds that once inhabited this area are long gone. The breakwater and bridge connecting Rockingham to Garden Island prevents proper flushing of the sound. So that is what wrecks the visibility at the Woodman Point Munitions Jetty, but what is good about the dive. The jetty extends out to a 9 metre depth, the pylons have excel ent sponge and cold water coral growth. This attracts marine life, this is why this site is so popular with fishers, I have never had an interest in fishing, but I can see why people go there.

So what about the upgrades? The Woodman Point Munitions Jetty was constructed back in 1903 and has only been open to the public since 1984, the life of the jetty has exceeded planning requirements. Fortunately funds have been allocated and a new platform has been designed, the concrete piles driven in 1939 will be retained due to the extensive growth and marine life it attracts. There will be a ramp to a sub deck with T type jetty end. The jetty itself will be demolished with new piles driven to support the new jetty, the old piles will be retained with the new jetty providing shade for the old piles.

The first four months of the year had been hectic with full-time work, part-time study, sailing on Saturday afternoon and family and social engagements. My first trip is usually April/May, my summer commitments are completed, the season in the Philippines has moved off the peak but the summer is still around.

I was feeling extremely fatigued especially with the burden of part-time study and the ever increasing occupational stress connected with my employment. I was taking acid reflux tablets every morning, then some throughout the day too. The stress was really causing me some grief, I was glad to be away from work, the stress declined immediately.

I finished work Thursday afternoon and boarded the Singapore Airlines flight at 1.10am early Friday morning; it was to be two weeks of freedom diving in the Southern Philippines. Arriving at 6.30 am in Singapore Changi airport, it was to be a three hour stopover before the ongoing flight to Manila on the 9:30 am arriving in Manila just past 1am.

Saturday morning I was checked out of my hotel early and down the airport, as usual flight delays pretty much wrecked the day and I arrived at Easy Divers well after dark. The resort staff were good enough to make me a large roll and provide me with a drink. The staff at Easy Divers are what makes this experience for me, they are great.

From what I learned, it is the staff that make this place special. Sure, the location is good, the rooms are decent, a great bar and restaurant. However, what makes the facility work is the quality of the staff, well trained and highly motivated. This is a great place to stay, good diving, maybe not the best in the Philippines, but it is a pretty decent place to dive.

Whilst I can’t call this remote, Easy Divers is out of the way so there is solitude on the grounds. Yes, you can get into town, but since there isn’t much there anyway, there is no point. So for me, it is easier to just hang around in the resort area, I am there for a break and not the hassles of getting around that area.

As a watch guy, I am pretty interested in the style of Baume and Mercier. I like what they have to offer and despite not owning any of their timepieces, their range is very interesting to me. This is not the best known of the watchmakers, but they have been manufacturing watches since 1830, a reasonable time period and they have some good product lines.

Their marketing interests me, but why is this so? Well, when I enter a boutique with Baume and Mercier timepieces I firstly see their advertising long before I view their watches. Despite being the lowest level brand in the Richemont Group, they exude a style and elegance I tend to gravitate to. I like the Classima range and the Clifton for me, the Hampton will not work as the rectangular shape will suit neither my wrist or personal style.

The Riveria has just been released as an integrated bracelet steel sports watch, with the renewed interest in this style of watch, this is an affordable proposition for those of us who cannot afford the AP Royal Oak, PP Nautilus, VC Overseas or the Chopard Alpine Eagle. I see the Riveria sitting in the showcase in my local jeweller so will wander in for a look. The best way to work out if the style works for you is actually place it on your wrist.

The issues between China and Australia are G2G not P2P, we have two governments that hold two totally different viewpoints. Naturally, my viewpoint is aligned to the Australian perspective – that goes without saying. I have no issues with Chinese citizens adopting a Chinese perspective, they have grown up under a communist regime and feel a degree of nationalistic pride in their country.

I certainly feel no ill will towards Chinese people, they are entitled to their opinion even if it doesn’t align with my values. What do I think of the Chinese Communist Government? I think the CCP is an evil organisation that is subjecting their vast population to a totalitarian regime. The CCP is not a government serving the people, this is a corrupt system of government that only benefits the party. The party is above the people – unbelievable.

Will we see war with China? I seriously hope not. A war will set back the Chinese people four decades of growth. There is no way I support loss of life, sending a whole population of people into poverty and turmoil. I believe the world would unite against China should they make the strategic mistake of invading Taiwan. The Chinese leadership should lock hard at what is happening in Ukraine and ask themselves if use of military force is feasible, warranted and sustainable?

I have Chinese friends, I have worked with a number of Chinese in Africa and dealt with plenty of Chinese Singaporeans, Chinese Malaysian and Chinese Filipinos when I have been in these countries. I do actually find it ironic, I do know they have a Chinese ethnic background but as they are residents of their respective countries and mostly have not even visited China. But regardless of whether these are mainland Chinese people or Chinese immigrants to these regional countries, we are all the same and I really hope no conflict is realised in our region.

If Russia went nuclear in Ukraine, what would be the likely scenario? Would NATO go nuclear in retaliation? I think that would be unlikely, I suspect the response will be conventional and they will hit Russian forces hard. Many would love to see NATO aircraft attacking Russian forces, American A-10 Thunderbolts taking out Russian tanks, the Ukrainians are doing a pretty good job of this already, this would just speed up the process – Russia is already a defeated army.

There has been discussion that the US and NATO would sink the Black Sea fleet with a massive air strike on their ships by stealth aircraft, B-52 bombers, B-1 bombers, B-2 bombers and gen 4 F/A attack aircraft such as F/A 18 Super Hornets. If NATO sinks the Black Sea fleet, why not take out the Northern Fleet at the same time, the Baltic Fleet or the Pacific Fleet could be sent to the bottom of the ocean too.

A no-fly zone over Ukraine would stop Russian aircraft attacking Ukrainian cities, they could shoot drones out of the sky and severely limit air power. This would put NATO countries in direct conflict with Russian troops, but as we have seen, the Russian military is no match for Ukraine, a small but better armed and trained NATO force will destroy Russian forces and equipment.

The US and NATO countries will very likely supply longer range weapons such as missiles where Ukraine can strike deep into Russian territory and their cities. The fighter jets Ukraine desired will be delivered, they will likely get F-16 jets from the US. Finland and even Australia may look to donate retired F/A-18 Hornets to Ukraine, that would be an interesting development.

The question I ask is, what will China do? There has been fighting between China and Russia in history, during the Chinese development phase Russia supported the communist state. However, Russia took possession of Chinese lands during what the Chinese describe as the century of shame. Should they see an opportunity, they may look to take back their land and push even further into Russian territory.

I just don’t get it, TAG Heuer gets a lot of hate online through forums and comments sections but I think it is largely undeserved. Some reckon TAG Heuer is a fashion brand, they clearly don’t know what they are talking about.

I really like TAG Heuer models, the current Aquaracer is an update of the 2000 series of the 1990s and a pretty decent watch. I looked at buying a 2000 series back in the late 1990s, but selected the quartz S/el instead and loved it. The current Aquaracer with ceramic bezel is an improvement on the 2000 series in terms of aesthetics and quality.

The Link is a rework of the S/el, their top selling watch of the 1990s. These days, the Link isn’t well promoted, so the Link isn’t topping their best seller lists. This is a bit of a shame, the Link is a decent enough model. The Carrera and Monaco are their legacy timepieces, the Monaco has remained a chronograph although the Carrera has a three-hand model that looks pretty decent. The skeletonised version of the Carrera is just awful, but apparently pretty popular, I just don’t like it.

There is plenty of innovation in the history of this company, a well-known brand name with some really iconic timepieces in their portfolio. In their back catalogue, there are some pretty decent timepieces, with the heritage market red hot at the moment, there is plenty of scope for exciting reissues. Sure, marketing wise, renaming Heuer as TAG Heuer was pure self indulgence by TAG Group. I would love to see the company name eventually returned to Heuer supported with some pretty innovative marketing and reissues of heritage timepieces.