Mal's Team Gherkin

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

2011-04-17T13:41:00.000+10:00

‎"I've made mistakes being your parent, sometimes more than I'd like to admit. But I will always be there for you, to hear you, to cheer you, to laugh or cry with you, to protect you with my life, and sometimes tell you things you don't want to hear. I will love you for eternity with all my heart. No one will ever love you the way that I do. I am your parent!" [Thanx Caroline]

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Senior's Texting Code

2011-03-26T05:49:00.001+11:00

SENIORS TEXTING CODE...

ATD = At The Doctors

BFF = Best Friend Fell

BTW = Bring the Wheelchair

BYOT = Bring Your Own Teeth

FWIW = Forgot Where I Was

GGPBL = Gotta Go Pacemaker Battery Low

GHA = Got Heartburn Again

IMHO = Is My Hearing-Aid On

LMDO = Laughing My Dentures Out

TTYL = Talk To You Louder

OMMR = On My Massage Recliner

OMSG = Oh My! Sorry, Gas

ROFLACG = Rolling On Floor Laughing & Can't Get Up!

(Thanx to Raven for the laffs)

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Social Networking

2011-03-23T01:21:00.000+11:00

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

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Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

2011-03-07T11:57:00.003+11:00

It is with much sadness that a long-standing family member of 2MCE, Bob Dengate, passed away on Sunday morning.

Our most sincere condolences to Kay and all their family.

We love and miss you, Bob.

Bob ... you once said this was the song you wanted to be remembered by forever, we will never forget you and you will always be loved by your family freinds and the 2MCE family.

Vale Bob Dengate of 2MCE

It is with great sadness that 2MCE announce the passing of Robert Dengate.

He died peacefully during the morning of Sunday 6th March 2011 after a battle with Cancer.

Bob Dengate was a Charles Sturt University lecturer and Life Member of 2MCE. He was deeply committed to community radio and in particular to 2MCE. He will be most remembered as founding father of the long running program Saturday Night Jukebox and was known as ‘The Big Bobber’ - derived from the famous US DJ/singer/songwritter J P Richardson known as ‘The Big Bopper’. The Jukey program celebrated its 19th anniversary just a few weeks ago during which Bob spoke to listeners for the final time. He also broadcast both classical and popular music but his great love was for the music of the 1960’s and he had an extensive knowledge of the works and times of The Beatles.

Bob was a mentor and guide to countless numbers of young and not so young presenters at 2MCE. It was only recently that he hung up his microphone and headphones on his Thursday Morning Music and Fried Brekky programs.

Bob’s other great passion was for the world of sport. Bordering on the fanatical Bob could speak with authority and with encyclopedic knowledge on all sports.

His influence in the education field is legendary - as a teacher and academic - always remembered as kind and supportive in the classroom with extensive influence in academia through education journals, syllabus design and professional development.

His mellifluous voice will of course be fondly remembered and he will be sadly missed by the 2MCE family - station staff, presenters and listeners.

Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Kay and to Bob’s family.

Vale Bob Dengate

Source : http://www.cbaa.org.au/news/Vale-Bob-Dengate-of-2MCE
Last viewed : 9:25am 8th March 2011

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Lost Cloud!

2011-02-21T12:53:00.003+11:00

Win! - Page 78 & Page 87 & Page 24

What we do in the studios of Radio 2MCE

2011-02-10T17:14:00.002+11:00

Take a look at some of the things we do at radio station 2MCE, here with "Sounds Live Radio" on Wednesday nights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeD6goKKUMk

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

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Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Cyclone Yasi

2011-02-01T08:34:00.001+11:00

My brother in Cairns rang me last night... they are 'battening down the hatches' as a HUGE cyclone [ie hurricane] looks as tho it's bearing down on where hey live, in far north Queensland.
They should be alright, but as the phone may be down there for a few days, we've arranged a way to keep in touch if that happens.

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Just a quick update - alls good

2010-12-10T11:44:00.003+11:00

Hiya. Alls well for me here. I've had a terrible few months [to be honest], but I'm feeling back-on-track again.

I'm very proud of my three handsome sons... my eldest [16-yo JD]'s girl-friend is absolutely delightful, and they are really comfortably happy together - you can just see it when they're together. I'm very happy for them both, and very proud of him - he treats her very graciously, so i've heard. Just as well!!! Oh, I know I keep talking about it, but it's all so very exciting for me as a dad, you know! [insert big blush here]

I know I'm living on the western edge of Bathurst here [and loving it], but I'm still amazed at the amount of animal-life that's in the area that I keep observing in my local travels on foot.

The other day I saw a Kangaroo bounce right past my back fence!

Then there's the domestic animals in the paddocks across the way as well... horses, donkeys, alpacas, sheep, cows, chooks [ie. chickens], geese, pigs, ponies - it's SUCH a cool rural feeling living here!!! But i'm still technically living 'in-town'... go figure!

Then there's the bird-life... plenty of native Aussie parrots and budgies, things like that too.

Oh... PS. Yesterday I trimmed-back my beard again... it'd grown REALLY thick and bushy... I think I looked like a crazy person or something with it looking as wild as that! hahaha. Nah, now it'll be a lot cooler in the coming warmer weather ahead.

Hey hey... check out what Jordan Vincent is upto lately... she's the child battling brain cancer, remember?

She's a LEGEND!!!

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

http://bit.ly/malkiely

Love you, my three handsome sons

2010-09-24T15:37:00.004+10:00

JD, SJ & Ix

Love you guys with all my heart! I'm very proud of you all.

Tho it totally rips me apart inside that I can't be with you 24/7.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

A post! A post!

2010-09-21T21:12:00.007+10:00

Today has been the happiest I've felt within myself for about three weeks. Thank fark for that. I'm still not... well, I still (and maybe never will? heh heh) don't have my $#it together in o-so-many ways.

The Pram's Album Show on radio 2MCE-FM today was, as my great friend Donna observed (listening-in live online) : "Great Show Malster, abso bloody lutely fantastic". Really nice feedback - no, really. Really helps when the actual music is exciting, captivating, and very memorable - The Beatles playing live in front of 17,000 Beatlmaniacs!

Being involved with radio has been the best thing I've found to keep me feeling focused and goal-orientated, probably the most-so in the last eight years. it's not always as easy as it sounds, but I. Really. Enjoy. It.

This morning, I took myself out to our local water supply, Ben Chifley Dam. After all this 7-to-10 year drought breaking rain we've received across SE Australia in the past two months-or-so, the water has been overflowing down the dam spillway for the first time in about four years. Glorious Spring weather, so quiet out there. I felt really refreshed somehow. Must be that fresh air and sunshine, perhaps?

Check out these photos taken about three years ago out there... now all of the land I was standing on in the foreground of these photos is now meters underwater! YAY!

It's similar out at Carcoar Dam (where I normally try to go sailing)... recently the water level has been horrific at just 4% of capacity! You could literally see the old roadway snaking across the dry valley floor, the water was that low! However, with our recent rain, the water level out there is upto about 30% already... so, what I'm really selfishly excited about is - looks like we're gonna have a Sailing Season this year (the first one out there for like two or three years!!!) YEAH!

Gotta literally dust-off the little sailing dinghy, make sure it hasn't been eaten by rats (no, don't laugh... it happens out here, bugger it!), and park it out at the little Club property out at Carcoar (50 kms / 30 miles away). Hopefully, with sailable water out this way again for the first time in two-to-three years, we'll start seeing sailors and boats start appearing out of mothballs coming out of the woodwork out here. Great!

Oh... one of the huge dams out this way, Lake Burrendong (which is, when full, something like 3-1/2 times the size of Sydney Harbour!!! No, seriously!), is actually overflowing at its dam spillway for the first time in like seven years! Boats (and sailors) of all shapes and sizes will begin to appear out-of-nowhere now, I'm sure of it.

Moving house has been a nightmarish experience for me, in so many more ways than one. I've absolutely hated the whole experience, and have been seemingly-prevented from finding anywhere to call 'home' without jumping thru outrageous hurdles in the process. Fark this. it's been truly awful... words cannot being to explain.

Having the Black Dog barking deafeningly loudly in your ear sure hasn't been helping either. Health-wise has been nightmarish as well... on-going tests for possible cancer (yet again) certainly haven't helped silence the Black Dog either. Eight years of living hell has just finally started taking it's physical toll on me as well. I lost my emotional and spiritual wellbeing years ago already... sheesh! (For those who simply do not/will not appreciate what ongoing depressive disorder is all about, please do not judge me. I don't act/do things deliberately to seek sympathy or emotionally manipulate people, you know... honestly). If you want to know what it's like being me, try walking in my shoes for the past eight years. They're bloody uncomfortable, let me tell you!

After I quit the jazz sextet Glen and the Zen Men the other week, out of pure frustration, I've literally heard nothing at all from the band leader. Not a peep, finding out if I'm OK, asking me why etc etc. Nothing. Now - THAT really hurts. When you put 100% into a musical project, and get absolutely nil-zip-no results at all out of it, it rips my beating heart out, it does it does. All the others in the Zen Men have chased me up in one way or another to see how I'm doing. But not the actual band leader. He's not being nasty or anything - he simply has NO people-skills at all. But ferk... it totally ripped my heart and soul out leaving that band, and I'm feeling wholly empty afterwards. Feeling that 'I won't be particularly missed' hurts like all ferk as well... it may not be true, but that's still how I'm feeling.

Thankfully tabla-player and drummer Keith has been a life-saver for me, and something of a steadying influence in my mental turbulence lately. We've simply shared some great nights over some great food, but just basically hanging out together and listening to some amazing 'world music' together. Thank you Keith - you're a life saver. Thanks for listening and just "being", with no agendas.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Too many times

2010-09-20T16:44:00.008+10:00

That'll do, pig, that'll do.

So.
Very.
Tired.

Still.

"My minds' not right" - Robert Lowell

(Pic source)
This isn't me... but it kinda represents something of how I'm feeling at the moment.
Just ... indescribable inner muddling...

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Jordan's Journey - Bold Mover

2010-09-14T17:02:00.005+10:00

Jordan's Journey

A father journals about the journey his 11-yo daughter is traveling, as she battles brain cancer. I've been following their journey for about two years now...

"... Her teachers suggested that she address the class and share her experience. Knowing that Jordan would soon lose her hair, they thought it might help to prepare the class–to share a chapter from her life so that they could understand the coming changes. Jordan didn’t bother to share the experience with us until a couple of days later, somewhat matter-of-factly. When I asked her how it made her feel, she told me it was alright. “It’s good that they know,” she said. When I asked her if talking about it made her feel uncomfortable, she shot back, “why would I be?” And I had no answer....

"... If she is afraid, she shows no sign of it. Every day she surprises me with outbursts of maturity. It’s breathtaking to watch her in action. Jordan gets it done. She commands her soul to crest with the waves of misfortune instead of turning over to them. That’s not to say she’s a perfect angel. In fact, she drives us all crazy at times. A soul with that big a will can challenge the calmest of nerves. But I, for one, am inspired by how she navigates the rough seas of reality. She’s willing to shave her head when it’s adorned with beautiful blond tresses and prepared to share her experience in front of naturally judgmental pre-adolescent minds. Summon your dictionary and lookup ‘bold’, there may be a picture of Jordan embedded in the copy."

Please send some encouragement to this normal family in what is definitely an un-normal situation.

... and now for something complete different...

"ROTFLSHMSFOAIDMT"= Rolling On The Floor Laughing So Hard My Sombrero Falls Off And I Drop My Taco =)

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Happens

2010-09-09T11:51:00.002+10:00

"Anything that happens, happens.

Anything that, in happening, causes something else to happen, causes something else to happen.

Anything that, in happening, causes itself to happen again, happens again.

It doesn't necessarily do it in chronological order, though" - Douglas Adams

Peas be with ewe

Cyalayta,
Mal :)

2010-09-09T01:23:00.001+10:00

So.
Very.
Tired.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Jordan's Journey

2010-09-06T17:51:00.000+10:00

Taken from the current blog posting by 11-yo Jordan's father. She's currently undergoing chemo treatment for a second occurrence of a tumorous growth in her brain...

"Jordan is ready and willing to take cancer head-on..."

"In all the years I’ve known her, I’m not sure she’s ever looked so good. Maybe it’s the healthy glow from a thriving summer. Maybe it’s the blossomy aura of a young lady growing up. Or maybe it’s the confident air of survivor gearing up to take on life’s challenge again. Whatever it is, it agrees with her. She is radiantly beautiful. It’s not just her physical appearance–the tan, the way she wears her fashion, the streaks of blonde in a wild swirl of wispy hair–it’s her way. She is agreeable, chatty, charismatic. You want to be with her and she wants to be with you...

... One week has passed since she restarted chemotherapy, and she is doing great. She went in for blood work Thursday and her medical team was thrilled with her progress. Her counts look absolutely normal–no fluctuations at all. We don’t expect her stats to stay this way. She goes back on Wednesday, and we are prepared to see a decline. But I sleep easier knowing that she is handling treatment with such grace and strength. Sometimes I think we ask too much of Jordan. We require her to be strong, to persevere. I believe she would be strong and persevere even if we didn’t push her to do so–it’s who she is. But I have to remind myself on days like Saturday that the caricature I so often portray–the girl with the will of an ox–has another side. She fusses over her strategies. She yearns to live carefree. She loves nothing more than spending time with people she loves. My goal in the days ahead is to help this slayer spend more time doing these things."

Please send her and her family some encouragement as they journey together as a family - having a child battling cancer is heartbreaking.
http://www.jordanvincent.com

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Australia Felix

2010-07-07T04:54:00.002+10:00

"Australia Felix" by Arthur Streeton, 1907. This is, to me, a classic iconic 'Australian' image... yes, it really does look like that! Complete with that blueish/purpleish tinge about it. Even around here, in this part of the country I'm living in... there are parts of Australia that remind me of other places I have visited on my journeys - and I find that very refreshing... this is very typically atmospheric of the Australian countryside. And I'm loving it!!!

"Australia Felix (Latin for "fortunate Australia" or "happy Australia") was an early name given by Thomas Mitchell to lush pasture in parts of western Victoria he explored in 1836 on his third expedition.

On this expedition Mitchell was instructed to travel to Menindee, then down the Darling River to the sea, if it flowed there; or, if it flowed into the Murray River to go up the Murray to the inhabited parts of the colony.

However lack of water forced Mitchell to follow the Lachlan River to the south-west as the only practicable route. He reached the Murrumbidgee on 12 May and followed it to the Murray.

At the end of May, Mitchell reached the Darling and turned north upstream. He soon decided, while still about 200 km (130 miles) in a direct line from Menindee, to abandon the survey of the deserts around the Darling and to use his resources to explore the more promising country along the Murray.

Retracing his steps Mitchell went up the Murray until 20 June when he reached the junction of the Loddon where the country seemed so promising that he turned south-west into what is now Victoria and was so enchanted by the area he called it “Australia Felix”.

The reports of excellent farming land from Mitchell's return to Sydney with the news, started a land rush." (Source)

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

I'm still around!!!

2010-06-17T12:39:00.004+10:00

I'm still online... just busy doing other things lately!

The Pram's Album Show

Sounds Live Radio

Glen and the Zen Men

Facebook and Twitter (for networking radio and music!)

To contact me, you can use these assorted methods...

ChatBox (no login needed)

Guestbook (no login needed)

Facebook

Twitter

MySpace

Flickr Photos

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

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Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

SHE'S DONE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-05-15T15:19:00.001+10:00

16-yo solo around-the-world sailor Jessica Watson is HOME after 210 days at sea!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/15/2900365.htm

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Lest We Forget

2010-04-26T12:13:00.014+10:00

ANZAC Day is more than just an excuse to get dressed-up, get pissed and play two-up...

Ordinary people died so we can have the freedom to enjoy our lifestyle.

Lest We Forget.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved my regular blogging activity elsewhere these days.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Happy Easter

2010-04-05T13:15:00.005+10:00

Happy Ēostre / Ôstarâ - however, wherever, why and whoever you celebrate your weekend with. Enjoy.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

Facebook

2010-03-25T11:44:00.004+11:00

Oh the joys... &^%$# Facebook!

I was making a new Facebook 'Group' page for "Glen and the Zen Men" (the jazz quintet I'm playing for) this morning, and Facebook decided to randomly delete my account in the process! Argh!

So I've had to create a new Facebook account under the name 'Lancelots Pram'... but it can still be found by searching under 'Mal Kiely' on Facebook.

Of course I can still be contacted on my main email addie as well - at least that doesn't change.

&^%$# Facebook! It's good - when it works! lol

NOTE and STOP PRESS:

Facebook madness! Three days ago, Facebook randomly DELETED my old account.
Today it's back and working 100%! What the...?
(Scratches head, is genuinely confused).

Please take note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved elsewhere.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

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Jessica Watson's Video Diary - Day 154

2010-03-23T16:21:00.000+11:00

I've been following her journey online ever since she left Australia, back in October!!! She's about half-way-across the Indian ocean... about 3/4's of her way around the world solo unaided.

You GO, Jess! You rock!!!

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved elsewhere.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

HNY

2009-12-31T13:40:00.003+11:00

Happy New Year!!!

Please note that I probably won't be posting much on this particular blog in the future, as I have happily moved elsewhere.

Contact me if you'd like more info about that.

Thanks. Shalom.

Peas be with ewe
Cyalayta,
Mal :)

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