The family holiday house is a pretty simple building constructed by my family in the period just after World War II. I have a lot of respect for these guys, through their hard work and foresight, I have a great asset to use. The original pre-war building in the 1930s was constructed from wood and thatching. The next phase of construction was hand-cast and fired bricks, as my family were all tradesmen, they built the house from the materials onsite themselves, I have a lot of respect of these guys.

Apparently the men would travel south on the weekends to build the house, it was a little remote back then so trucking in materials was difficult along bush tracks. From what I am told, it was a long trek to get there in the transport of the era. Houses of that era had outside toilets or outhouses. There was no plumbing so it went into a pan, there was a little side door to retrieve the pan to empty it. Needless to say, they wanted this well away from the house.

The old outhouse is no longer functional, it is now used as a shed to store wood. We had a rain water tank for fresh water, nowadays there is scheme water with indoor plumbing. The water tank is gone, ironically, we don’t drink the tap water and instead use bottled water. Even better, you no longer need to stumble outside in the cold of night. Then there was the rain, rushing outside in your rain coat trying to avoid getting wet. There are no problems with snakes or spiders curled up in the outside toilet. Was this a problem before? You bet it was.

Having upgraded my failed Heinrichs Weikamp 2N dive computer to the supposedly feature rich OSTC3 model, I am seeing major improvements from the 2N. The milled billet aluminum housing is an improvement over the polymer plastic housing of the 2N although I actually preferred the screen configuration of the 2N over the OSTC3.

The Buhlmann ZHL-16C algorithm with user programmable gradient factors is greatly enhanced, this is a much better design from the 2N. I dived the computer side-by-side with my proven and dependable VR3 computer to compare algorithms in what one expects to be comparable profiles. When diving square decompression stop profiles, the two computers pretty much calculated similar profiles less the two deep stops programmed into the VR3. However, multilevel profiles were reasonably close bar a few disturbing occurrences once I reset the gradient factors to become more conservative.

Much to my surprise, when I dived the 2N alongside the VR3 and old Aladin Sport dive computer, the no-decompression limits varied enormously; the 2N give anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes more time at each level than the two other Buehlmann algorithm computers – alarm bells started to ring. Whilst it may be argued the Aladin Sport utilises a Buhlmann ZHL-8 algorithm, the differences in no-decompression limits are extraordinary. This makes me nervous, the last thing I want to do is get bent diving within the limits of a particular dive computer, this time I am a little more cautious than I usually am.

Still, despite my apprehension, I still dive the Heinrichs Weikamp OSTC2 dive computer as the computer is easy to navigate, easy to gas switch and reasonably reliable. As with any decompression application, I dive with two depth/time monitors so I am happy following my main dive computer with the OSTC2 as my redundant device.

So Mack Horton was right, Sun Yang is a drug cheat. It is proven now, the Yang has been banned from swimming competitively for 8 years – that’s it, he is done. Sure, he challenged the verdict and had his ban reduced, it was still long enough to keep him out of the Tokyo Olympics.

Mack received death threats, not only that, his family was targeted by faceless cowards who not only hid behind screens, they targeted his family too. Well, when Sun Yang ran out of excuses and the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the ban, a whole lot of CCP synthesisers started to look like idiots. Mack has been exonerated, Sun Yang has been exposed as the drug cheat that he is. The Court of Arbitration for Sport are gutless though, Yang should have been stripped of all his medals. Horton had the family house targeted by Yang’s gutless followers, the brazen intimidation that Horton stood up too.

Horton really got the trolls riled up when he refused to take the podium with Yang after the 400 metres freestyle final in South Korea where he came second. But this isn’t sour grapes, Horton beat Yang at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games where he called him out then. It should have never got to this, they should have been on top of this. Still, the IOC, and to a lessor extent the international swimming controlling body show really get their act together, they need to be immune from pressure from China.

One of my favourite dives at Subic Bay, the former US Navy base in the Philippines is diving the LST, that is apparently US Navy language for a Tank Landing Ship (LST) or a Landing Ship (Tank). Depth is relative, the LST isn’t super deep, but it is deep enough. Generally speaking, on my dives here it is planned decompression with penetration into the hull. It doesn’t have to be that way though; descending backwards over the bow with the bow door hanging off is a great view on the wreck.

From the main deck in the forward area, I love swimming down the stairs and into the hull, you can head forward but that stops abruptly. It is much better to head down towards the cargo holds and view the internals of this ship. I really like travelling aft entering on the starboard side and swimming down the second level deck and the troop berthing space. Needless to say, at these depths nitrox is a must and there is going to be some deco hang time. Dropping down and onto the top deck without exploring the bow makes it hardly worth the dive, I immensely love penetrating wrecks but it doesn’t make sense to dive the LST if you don’t penetrate it.

Nomos Glashütte doesn’t have a long history, founded in only1990 by Roland Schwertner, Nomos Glashütte is an independently owned and operated watchmaker in the small watchmaking village of Glashütte. The initial designs were drawn up by graphic designer Susanne Günther with the Tangente, Orion, Ludwig and the Tetra all released in 1992. The reference 380 is the 38 mm diameter case fitted with a domed sapphire crystal and sapphire crystal display case back.

The bauhaus design of the Orion dial is excellent, the gold plated applied index markers on the galvanised white silver plated dial. The tempered blue baton hands are elegant, the petite second hand is also blue tempered just above the date window at the 6 o’clock position. I reckon 38 mm is the ideal size for a dress timepiece, whilst a larger size for a diver or a chronograph is an absolute must, this is the perfect size for a dress watch. The height of 8.9 mm is somewhat assisted by the inhouse hand-wound DUW4101 movement that doesn’t require a rotor.

The long angled lugs of the Orion are a major improvement on the thin squarish lugs of Tangente. The Tangente lugs just look flimsy, the Orion lugs are looking not only more secure but they are an improved style as well. This is a well crafted dress watch, the 38 mm diameter is well sized for most wrists and isn’t following the trend of the oversized watch. The clean dial and rounded case gives an understated style that suits minimalists tastes.

I have always wondered why James Reyne dislikes this song so much, after Reckless, I have always thought this was one of their best songs. Australian Crawl, better known as Aussie Crawl were one of the top Australian bands of the early 1980s. I walked past the Perth Entertainment Centre just as the people were piling out, I guess it was about 1985 and I still regret missing this concert as everyone was just going “wow” and instead we had just got off the train and were on our way to a nightclub.

Ironically, I did get to see James Reyne play solo at a Fremantle nightclub a number of years later, I can’t even remember if he played Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama that night. I recall he played Reckless to end the show, that blew us out. Did I hear James Reyne play Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama that night? I really can’t remember, what I do know is he really dislikes this song and when he does play it, he runs it down. He always states he can’t play the piano, I liked the piano in the song and I like the lyrics. James might hate the song but I certainly feel differently.

The Union Glashütte Viro range is an interesting timepiece for me. Whilst not being all that interested as my initial reaction, I am beginning to warm to their offerings. The simple dial of the Viro with baton index markers is a clean look, the three hand model is stylish.

Positioned well below A. Lange & Söhne, Original Glashütte and Moritz Grossmann, the philosophy of Union Glashütte was to offer a quality product at a reasonable price. Mühle-Glashütte and Nomos Glashütte fill out the top five premium Glashütte watchmakers. Now owned by the Swatch Group, Union Glashütte sits in the high-range products along with Longines and Rado although I would argue they are mid-range price levels. Whilst Union Glashütte no longer offer in-house movements, I like the finish on their base ETA movements.

The 41 mm 316L stainless steel case has a sapphire crystal caseback to showcase the ETA 2892-A2 automatic movement. The silver dial has rose gold baton indices matching the baton hands with LumiNova® treatment to aid reading the time in low light environments. I like the dial, the bauhaus style is very interesting for a dress watch and the Viro is an excellent option. The brown leather strap matches the dial and wouldn’t consider any other strap options even though a steel bracelet is available.

Goal Setting
I was very lucky to be involved with motivated people from a young age, as a seventeen year old I was taught the virtues of goal-setting. This involved visualisation, getting a picture of your goal and hanging it in a prominent place. The implementation planning involves developing an action plan, setting milestones and monitoring progress.

That’s all good, but without an implementation plan, milestones, timeframes and rewards for achieving sub-goals; the goals are generally not realised. It is easy to say we want to achieve a goal, but without an implementation plan, then the goal becomes unattainable.

Motivation
When I studied organisational behaviour, motivation was one of the topics in that unit. We all enjoy being around positive productive people, I have found this positivity affects others around you. Likewise, negativity has such a detrimental effect on individuals and organisations so avoiding negative individuals is paramount as is surrounding yourself with positive people.

Actions such as getting out of bed early, exercising, keeping your house clean and laying off the booze are all good starts. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t drink, it just means you moderate your alcohol intake to less frequent intervals and don’t hit it so hard. I have noticed a correlation between high performers and moderate alcohol consumption and the effects on motivation.

Attitude
A positive mental attitude, better known as a PMA is a must, a positive attitude is infectious and a magnificent motivating force. Motivation/attitude is an important element of leadership, from my observations the best leaders exhibit a positive attitude.

Attitude is intrinsically linked to motivation and forms a whole chapter in Organisational Behaviour textbooks. Models are explored in Organisational Behaviour at an individual and Organisational level and is a very interesting facet of management.

Self Development
The ability to engage in ongoing development was directly connected to reading. The old favourites such as Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason and The Magic of Thinking Big by David J Schwartz still sit on my bookshelf.

In these modern times, we can still develop ourselves through new media such as Youtube, TedX and other multimedia formats. Now I watch videos of Simon Semek, why waste time playing Candy Crush Saga on your portable device? Use the time positively to learn and grow as an individual to set yourself on a successful path.

I tend to enjoy dressing cheaply at certain times, especially on weekends. Even more, I love getting around unshaved and relatively unkempt when I am not working. The more I look like a bum, the happier I am, people just leave me alone, just how I want it. 

What I really like kicking around in a pretty decent watch like Longines, TAG Heuer or an Omega. For the majority of people, they don’t recognise a quality watch and since you never bring it to their attention, they never know. I very much dislike having a quality automobile, people want to steal, damage, or vandalise. The damage I see in carparks ensures I don’t want a vehicle that can be easily damaged by uncaring and jealous people.

A decent timepiece, people just don’t know what you have sitting on your wrist so I have no worries. The only people who come up to me are watch collectors and enthusiasts so they are not a threat to me, if need be we can chat about horology and various timepieces and their heritage. Sure, I don’t own a Blancpain or a Breguet, but I am still happy with what I have and I don’t set myself up as someone to rob, bash or threaten – as long as the clothes are clean then fine. 

I decided to purchase a green Oris Aquis with a grey dial when I was in the Philippines, I had seen something similar on the wrist of a local guy and thought it would work for me too.

He was a Filipino guy, so his wrists were relatively small and whilst the watch was a little large for his wrist, the dial and bracelet really looked chunky. I thought I could have a solid dive watch to wear when I wanted something a little less discrete. This will not fir under a shirt sleeve, this for me is a summer watch to be worn with short sleeves.

So after some looking around at Shangrila Plaza in Mandaluyong, we decided to head up to Quezon City for a deal. After some internet research and an email and phone call, it appeared they were willing to deal on price. I had the price reduced over the phone based on prices I received at Shangrila Plaza.

I was informed by the shop to register the watch online at MyOris, you open an account and the type in the serial number of the watch and the details of the watch are displayed. This is a pretty good service, they also have personal details that I have cropped from the graphic and serial numbers. The watch is registered with Oris, should it be stolen then one assumes it will flag on the computer when brought in for service at an authorised service centre. This is a pretty decent service if this actually works, well done to Oris.