We interrupt this blog for a News Update ...

It's been a busy few weeks here, with several posts causing concern, comment, and even consternation in different quarters. I think it's time for a brief update on some of the issues raised.

1. My friend remains gravely ill, but fortunately stable. With a serious brain injury such as his, each day without deterioration is considered a step forward, and we hope it will not be too long before he is allowed to become conscious. Thank you to those readers who have taken time to pass on their good wishes here and in private. Such crises are never far away from any of us.

2. Just as distressingly, the situation in Zimbabwe (his homeland) gets worse and worse, with the latest reports indicating widespread violence against those who voted for the opposition in the recent and still unresolved elections. So terribly sad for a wonderful country whose people have tried to do everything the democratic way, only to be crushed with violence and destruction.

3. As for the Open Directory Project (DMOZ), I have heard from a great many present and past editors since I left, and there is no doubt that many of them are still very passionate about the directory and what it could be. It would certainly be a wonderful thing if all that enthusiasm could be actively encouraged and channelled to build and improve the directory, and I am sure that the new management team has a similar goal. I am sincere in wishing them all the best with that, despite the irreverent definition I copied below. (Hey, I'm Australian - poking fun at authority is a national sport!)

4. Finally, I am pleased to report that "my" medical students were very amused at seeing their gaffes on the web, and immediately began speculating who was the author of each. One student proudly pointed out that in fact he was responsible for more than one of them. I guess I'll need to be wary of "deliberate" mistakes in future, lest internet fame beckons.

Farther Along

It's not something I often admit to, but during an earlier, agricultural stage of my life I was a fan of Country and Western music.
(I blame 6 months of tractor driving on the prairies in Alberta, OK?)

Anyway, one of my favourite songs was a traditional gospel number called "Farther Along". It has been sung by many people, but the version I listened to was by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris (as "Trio").
Any reader(s) in the USA can apparently listen to a free recording here.

Two of the verses and the chorus came back to me today, as I talked with a friend about how unjust life (and people) can be, in all sorts of ways.
That can be very difficult to accept and understand. This helps a bit.

Tempted and tried, we're oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all day long
While there are others living about us
Never molested though in the wrong

When death has come and taken our loved ones
It leaves our home so lonely and drear
Then do we wonder why others prosper
Living so wicked year after year

Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all, by and by

[Thank you to those who have asked about my friend. No further news as yet, but so far he's "stable".]

Perspective

Two items of news today have affected me directly, and I feel rather ashamed of the self-indulgent melancholy which has preoccupied me over the last couple of weeks. There's nothing like a reminder that you are lucky to be alive to put things in perspective.

The first item concerns a deadly explosion yesterday at a mosque in Shiraz, Iran. Not unusual, sadly, in the Middle East, but this time I read the reports (eg BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera) with particular attention, because I was at that same mosque only last November, during a thankfully trouble-free tour of Iran. Throughout our 3 week visit we were certainly aware of the possibility of violence, but in fact we were much more scared of being killed on the roads. Shiraz is a beautiful city, and this mosque, as with so many we visited, filled me with wonder and admiration for the skill and artistry of its creators. I'm sure they never dreamed it would be a place of carnage.

The next piece of news to reach me this morning was even more personal: an early phone call from a friend in Queensland with those stomach-clenching words "I'm afraid I've got some bad news". Another close friend of mine was involved in a serious farm accident yesterday, was airlifted to hospital in Brisbane, and underwent extensive brain surgery last night as a result of his injuries. I'm "holding thumbs" and praying for you Philip, and for Tont.

I have been friends with them for many years, since meeting them on one of several trips to Zimbabwe, back when it was still a (relatively) normal country to visit. Now, of course, it seems perpetually in turmoil, although thankfully the recent elections have shone the world spotlight on the shocking state of affairs there.
My friends lived on their family farm at the time I was visiting, but several years ago, like most of the white farmers, they lost their land, their house, their crops, equipment and carefully bred herd of beef cattle to the government, and were obliged to leave the country almost penniless. They settled in Queensland and have worked 6-7 days a week ever since as manual labourers, trying to rebuild their lives.
Philip has cheated death before, having been shot and seriously wounded by armed burglars on the farm in Zimbabwe, so he has the physical health and mental strength to recover again, I am sure.