Suicide

Some subjects are serious.

Oswald refers to "the censored killer" and attributes the fact mainstream media don't discuss suicide to a "political understanding- driven by an MP who would rather not hear the word SUICIDE".

In New Zealand, the law states information about the manner of death must not be reported if "there is reasonable cause to believe that a death was self-inflicted".

There certainly is a reluctance to discuss suicide. My first experience was a 22 yr old guy about a year after I stopped being his boss. You can guess what had just happened to him. My view was and still is that being the dumpee feels bad but nowhere near excuses suicide. He had everything to live for except the will when he connected the hose, drank his scotch and looked at a beautiful view.
2. Close but not direct. Hanging. Very very tragic but I still could not get past "You cowardly bitch. Nothing excuses laying such bullshit on anyone".(No not an ex !)
3. No idea. In his 30s. Wasn't happy and cut his jugulars.
4. Having been cornered and subjected to about 30 minutes of "Poor me" I gave my suggestions and about a month later he parked in front of a train. This time I'd been given a hint of the depth of the hole he felt he was in. To me it was petty stuff. You've been dumped, me too, get over it, move on. Sort your shit out and become the person your ex or any new future partner deserves. He may have heard me but I'm sure he had no idea that was possible.
5. Same as 3 but 20s and another hanging.
6. Last year. Drugs involved, I'm sure he didn't intend to, having talked almost daily to him for weeks previously. I don't think he had a life or any concept of what a life could become just like the earlier 5, and no idea how easily he could have been there.

The common theme as I see it is depression without aspiration or understanding how easy simple things are to enjoy and achieve (like fitness), and how stunning the world and people are - if you have a certain perspective, being that a glass of wine, even half full tastes damn good.

Prof Goldney (link above) head of psychiatry at the University of Adelaide an international suicide specialist says "There would always be some suicides but things could be done to reduce the number of them:
Better recognition and treatment of mental disorders, telephone crisis services, prescription anti-depressants, restricting access to poisons and guns, erecting barriers on bridges and discouraging sensational media reporting were all tools for preventing suicide, he said. Suicidal people might not recognise suicidal behaviour and might reject offers of help so it was important for friends and family to be aware of the warning signs. you really have to get across the idea that mental disorders are the most common antecedence of suicidal behaviour so you've got to get at the antecedent of the behaviour rather than focusing on the behaviour itself.
We need to get across the message that suicidal thinking is not normal ... We all sort of think about the meaning of life, but as soon as it tips over into thinking about suicidal behaviour that's when people should seek assessment

I have seen 3 of these up close in the last 4 years. As Richard Dawkins says, you're not going to heaven either way so....


and don't forget to go to Paris, drink champagne or try a bungie jump. Good on you Jeanette.

Snapper

I've had to make do with reading Sam's book and drooling over the fillets in Countdown the past 5 months and finally made it onto the water.

There are a few activities I'd rate above kayak fishing off Waihi Beach last Sunday morning between 6 and 8am. Back on the beach by 8.15 with my limit 9 of these fantastic fish. The only problem apart from getting out of my wetsuit in the shower is that #3 has now decided he eats it to.

It's bull that 10% catch 90% of the fish, the real reason is that most people are too damn lazy to find out how easy it is - with handlines and a kayak.

L's trying to perfect a lemon sauce. Might have to stick with sweet chilli or capers. Summer is looking good.

Halle Yeah

Esquire says Halle is the Sexiest Woman Alive but I agree with her. A couple of quotes from the Esquire article:

I think wine is sexy, just before sex. It relaxes me.
I think lingerie is sexy, and I'll wear it, sure. But truth is, I'm good-to-go in a tank top and bare feet....
What else? Ah, yes: the big O. You know that stuff they say about a woman being responsible for her own orgasms? That's all true. And in my case, that makes me responsible for pretty damned good orgasms these days. Much better orgasms than when I was twenty-two. And I wouldn't let a man control that. Not anymore. Now I'd invite him to participate. I'll tell you this: I've learned my tricks. I know what I like. I do not wait around. I initiate. And I'm not all about frequency. I favor intensity.
I like what I am now. I like being a mother. I like my body better since I became a mother. I feel sexier as a result of becoming a mother.
So, yes, there are times when I feel like the sexiest woman alive, but would I ever argue that I am the sexiest woman alive? Of course not. I figure at one moment the sexiest woman alive is a waitress in Abilene, Texas. And in the very next second, it's a woman in the bush of Vanuatu. Then, right away, somewhere else. Sex and sexiness. It's all about the moment; it's about what you know as much as it is what you offer. That's why I share this title with every woman, because every woman is a nominee for it at any moment. Maybe that's why there are so many women these guys love.

MMMmmmmmmmmm