Our Mate Phil

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2010-03-06T22:22:00.001+10:00

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R.I.P. Alan Ransley-Smith 06/03/2008

2010-03-06T00:59:00.005+10:00

I am trying to find my way up to the surface since my world got turned upside down Dad.

You wouldn't believe it... I still can't.

Love

Another Path?

2010-01-27T23:11:00.003+10:00

I have had a rushed trip to Australia's capital city Canberra via Sydney to see friends and relatives.
The reason for my trip to Canberra is to see a specialist Doctor who makes an orthodontic plate that you wear in your mouth at night thus opening some very fine, important nerves and pathways that travel through your jaw communicating between the body and the brain.

I heard about it through a friend called Matt who is a VERY talented musician & producer.
About 4 years ago Matt had an illness that still has no name and gives him symptoms like severe migraines, extreme loss of energy for days/ weeks, ETC.
I knew him when I was healthy, in fact I cut his hair. When he got cut down by his illness his friends, family and even he couldn't explain it and even when he could struggle to talk I still couldn't fathom what was happening. Now I can.

He has been seeing this Doctor for a while now and last time I saw him was at a fundraising photo exhibition and I was amazed by his improvements, just shocked.
Sadly his plate has broken and he has relapsed seriously.
He is seeing the Doctor just after I am tomorrow, see you there Matt if you happen across this.

******************************************************************************************

I saw my 97 year old Grandfather today!
Ironically I shaved him and I am the one who needs a shave.

Australia Day.

2010-01-27T08:52:00.002+10:00

This is late, but here yesterday was Australia day.

A day commemorating when captain James Cook stuck a flag in the indigenous peoples home land and declared it English soil over 215 years ago.

I travelled down to Sydney, (more info. in the next entry), to see family. I was born and raised living here on Bronte Beach until I was 5 or 6, some of my fondest childhood memories with my family are from when we lived here.

This was Bronte Beach yesterday. Our old house can be seen.

I'm really happy, while here I'm going to visit my 97 year old Grandfather too.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

2010-01-21T21:21:00.005+10:00

Sun, food, swimming, music and blow up toys. (yes, the swimming pool type)

Sounds like a recipe for good times?
A few years ago, when I was perfectly healthy, I was worried about my daughter growing up reaching her teen years. But I was healthy and young so chasing and intimidating people, (like boys), would be hard but no problem.

My first born turned 12 today.

I am amazed constantly as she grows up, she is SO nonchalant and vague but conquers whatever she puts her mind to. (i'm a little biased maybe)

I feel so proud always.
Happy Birthday Amelia, the apple of my eye, I love you.

One of the most important things in my life is being a solid rock father. I want to provide foundations that are real, happy and prepare them for life, when I got sick it messed up my plans to be there as a leader for my children but I am climbing the mountain and I feel like I'm doing alright.

You can never tell if you're doing the job right.
But my instinct say's that all is well.

Keep Nobby's Real.

2010-01-15T23:17:00.005+10:00

Firstly and most importantly I hope you had a merry Christmas and got a nice surprise from someone as well as a happy new year.

In 2001 I bought a beachside apartment which I used to live in and rent out in a small, exclusive boutique area called Nobby Beach on the Gold Coast, Australia. I have many fond memories living here, it is a very nice area I am passionate about it.
The location provided a lifestyle that was simple, easy and made me feel like the richest man alive.

I loved and have to sell it under priced due to the market and other reasons.

Here is the link for it, it may be a home to someone, holiday apartment or investment..

http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=106247864&f=0&p=10&t=res&ty=&fmt=&header=&cc=&c=93607842&s=qld&snf=rbs&tm=1263335811

On another subject;

Please don't forget to check out my blog, the donate button has not been on here for a while but is being fixed as you read so please don't get complacent because you may not physically see me, I hate asking but I have to!

No Pablo.

2010-01-09T09:55:00.004+10:00

So the meeting was held today, and it didn't go our way.

I am SO devastated.

Heres the thing,
By voting no to my dog they are saying they don't want me nor my beautiful children there either. Thats our home because I am ill. I REALLY can't help that I am slow to speak and make basic mistakes, but CLEARLY my upstairs is sharper than ever.
I say this on behalf of half the worlds population, 'I feel trapped inside my own body', it can't do what it thinks is possible, since I have gotten ill I have lost touch with the world because before I was very much part of it.
Understandably I don't drive, I'm not the life of the party because SO much negative stuff seems to surround me and my life and I am not a negative person AT ALL.

I believe you reap what you sew and I believe my kindness and positivity far outweighs the bad things in life that I have done. How about a break?
Hows about some good stuff happening?

I feel so discriminated against.

Pablo, (my dog), doesn't yap constantly, doesn't smell, isn't big, isn't dirty, doesn't lose control of his bowels, ETC. (whatever argument you can bring to the table)

His breed is perfect for a quiet, subtle companion.
Pablo is family I haven't had a family dog ever that is my own. So this is a big deal.

The sad part is this could have been resolved easily, without cost and fuss.
Simply by putting ego aside to make way for a much bigger reason. It's called sacrifice, humility, selflessness.

OHH! C'mon we are talking about a tiny dog here. Ridiculous!

I'm SO upset..
Set back after set back.

I will fight this with every fiber in my being!
I will call upon ALL of my resources to combat this insanity and expose it and those who are involved in being haters and the stool pigeons sitting the fence, their apathy contributed when it could have helped.

Watch this space!

If you feel the desire to help your efforts will be welcomed.
"You will reap what you sew"

Power Trippers.

2010-01-08T23:24:00.011+10:00

I currently live at my mum's place but I haven't lived there for 2 months since I got my ridiculously tiny dog Pablo.

Heres the story;
Where my mum lives is a block of 10 units. The owners of each unit have a say in how things are done and funds spent ETC, The Body Corporate, (the apartment owners), are meeting to decide wether or not Pablo, can come live there. (for some reason they don't want him there, he doesn't bark incessantly, he is an apartment dog), oh because they want a 'dog free building', however there is a dog that resides there full time and a cat that comes from interstate with it's owner. Oh and MOST of the owners of the are from outside of the Gold Coast, whereas we live there FULLTIME.
When we first moved into the apartments there was 5 dogs, my mum has even had a dog living with her in her apartment before...

Go figure!

Get this. The Body Corporate have actually had a secret vote to pre-determine my dogs fate there.
I wont give him away or leave him, I love him and he reciprocates.
I have had to get letters of endorsement from my Therapists and Doctors when common sense tells you that having loyal pet is a positive step.

It is just like that episode of "Seinfeld", the Retirement Village of Del Boca Vista where Jerry's parents live are voting for a new president.
People with W A Y too much time on their hands that get seduced by the little bit of power entrusted to them and they use it for evil instead of good..
..Kind like the Rebellion and Dark Sides in Star Wars and I'm like Han trying to bring a much smaller, quieter version of a wookie into our world. The cost of going up against the Empire is wearing our forces thin...
Ok back to the topic. (no prizes for guessing that i'm a star wars nerd)

Spiteful, childish and plain weird.
Not everyone has let power get to their ego's, some of our neighbors are genuinely nice people and are family friends, it's a shame because the building is such a nice location, it makes me wonder how people that deal so much negativaty have the fortune to live there.

Living there is just like a film, "Lord Of The Flies" comes to mind.

My mum did the right thing and told a member of the B.C. committee that her son has a puppy that was a gift, (and frankly badly needed)
He would be in his 60's, 70's or 80's and he verbally abused her. I don't know about you but if another man abused your mother it make you angry.
I have children, even my 10 year old son wouldn't behave like that and if he EVER did he would have the good self judgement to apologize.
Normally I would just move him in there regardless of what the pathetic, half baked B.C. rules are and if they said anything to me then scream discrimination.
But it's where my mum lives so I am respecting her wishes. Although the B.C. committee often forget their manners and get a rush of power to the head.. (i still think that we shouldn't have said anything to avoid this mess)

I have lived in a small 2 bedroom apartment, (thanks aunty dawn), also taking into consideration what the vet says to keep Pablo semi-incubated from contact with other animals for about 3 and a 1/2 months. I see my children about half of the time, so that meant that they shared a room while I took the fold out sofa in the living room. Plans of me going home for Christmas were up in the air because of me respecting mums wishes not to get on the bad side of the neighbors which, to be nice, I wouldn't stop to pick them up if I was paid to.
(i wonder what happened to "love thy neighbor")?

The meeting is tomorrow , Saturday 9th.
I wont go because I will dress them down for bullying my mum and hiding behind their votes and by-laws.

G R O W U P !!

I'm angry at the fact i wasted a part of my life even putting this on my blog.

IF the B.C. vote 'no' to Pablo, take into consideration I don't have an income so living at home is all my insurance can afford after paying bills ETC. Also I am a Father who wants to see his children, that means 'where I live they live'. I am not as fun as I used to be as far as, taking them swimming, kicking a ball around and driving to do things ETC.
I BADLY wanted a dog for my own state of health also giving my children another reason to come to dad's.
Pablo is family.

Watch this space, the saga continues.

Films And Albums of 2009.

2010-01-02T12:22:00.002+10:00

Last January I blogged about my choice of films and albums for the last year. In keeping with tradition heres the verdict:

My albums; 1: 'Mogwai', "The Hawk Is Howling".
2: 'Emeliana Torrini', "Me And Armini".
3: 'Kasabian', "West Ryder Kauper Lunatic Asylum".

My Films; (to be said in an oscar presenters type voice),
1: "Pineapple Express".
2: "The Soloist".
3: "The Boy In The Striped Pajamas"

My album of the year is 'Emeliana Torrini's Me And Armini'.
My film of the year is 'The Boy In the Striped Pajamas'.

BOOM!

Who Dares Wins.

2010-01-01T22:50:00.005+10:00

A person whom I looked up to said how he used to carry some goals around everywhere with him. On a scrap piece of paper, on the back of a beer coaster, anything. In his wallet or back pocket, anywhere he would look at it and it would remind him of his dreams and goals.

I did this.
I would catch the subway to work in the mornings when I lived in Milan with other commuters, it was depressingly dogmatic, (like a bad dream or film clip), sometimes you would see the same faces as they went to their jobs, some were bank tellers, some were dentists, some were Nigerian refugees, some were brain surgeons, some were famous lecturers, some were Gypsies that would perform 'a-la' Partridge family styles, one, (usually a child), would walk down the train carriage asking for money and then onto the next carriage. (this would happen everyday).

On my way to work on the crowded train I would look at my piece of paper to remind of why I would run from my apartment through the rain to catch the 7:45 a.m. train with the other Milanese, where smells like too much cheap perfume, leather briefcases, purses, jackets, shoes, gloves etc. fresh toothpaste breath, stank bad morning breath, body odor, among other things would greet me and re-focus me on the bigger picture.

Why I had left the physical touch of my two children, why I had uprooted myself from the comforts of my beachside lifestyle, secure job and home.
And traded it for the polar opposite knowing no- one, bitterly cold weather with no snow, living in a depressing hovel in a ghetto part of a big city, in a country where I had a VERY basic grasp of the language.

But sure enough I had written a goal to be a hair stylist of top calibre that had the option of traveling with the fashion circus around the globe after working along side the best.

Dare to dream.

But write your dreams down and read them over and over until they happen like stepping stones. (often they have already come to fruition in your life, look around. are you where you want to be)?

HAPPY 2010!

(this subject is not at all what i set out to write but it'll do)

Merry Christmas.

2009-12-25T00:05:00.003+10:00

A little while ago our Ballet school put on a Christmas performance.

The Ballet world is very political and the ever present tall poppy syndrome is always going to raise it's ugly head as they spread hate and negativity.
But the Ransley Christmas performance's always sneak under my hardened exterior and blow me away, this year my sister and daughter were in the concert.

This years blow would be seeing my sister dance on an ankle that had a tumor that was benign but had been eating the bone.
With medical proof that one of her tendon's had disappeared and an ankle that had spelled the end for her career, here she was floating gracefully around a stage at home on Australia's Gold Coast with my daughter.

This seems irrelevant but this concert is a reminder for me of what time of year it is, for some it's the end of year staff party, the end of school or university for the year.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, whoever you're with Merry Christmas.

Bobby Lives Here.

2009-12-11T21:37:00.007+10:00

The 3rd installment of the 'Simpleism' series;

It may be cliche, for real I bought this stereo from a 2nd hand store for $7.00. It lived in my bathroom, became my mobile sound system at the beach & parks ETC. And had a cassette tape that NEVER left the tape player, "Bobby Brown's" 'Don't Be Cruel'.

I-pod docks are smaller and more convenient, but are no match for the aesthetics or robustness of my $7.00 stereo.

Shoe Gazing. (not in the apathetic way)

2009-12-10T02:33:00.005+10:00

On Saturday December 5th Rob and Duck from 'Sneak and Destroy" put a one off sneaker art show on hosted by Neverland. Good times were had.

This is what gets my blood boiling about people that comment about the lack of 'culture' on the Gold Coast, It's here but you HAVE to be involved and, (like any other place on the globe), YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE!
I have lived in Milan, Sydney and London too, (for a long time), and visited many other parts of the world, fair enough in major city's events and exposure are bigger on the whole and sure things are more frequent but that's why it's called a city,the population, a melting pot of culture.
Events like this take exposure and support.
The haters will continue to hate on the Gold Coast and be stool pigeons about the apparent 'lack' of culture.
Those that put on something and came were treated.

Loving it.

Here are some pictures for those, (shoe gazers), that couldn't come.

I love the GC. We have a habit of punching way above our weight.

Cooler Than A Polar Bear's Toenail.

2009-12-08T00:47:00.005+10:00

My 11 year old daughter Amelia got nominated as school captain of Mudgeeraba Creek State Primary School today for her final year in primary school in 7th grade. After being publicly shortlisted, interviewed by the principal, a political type speech to the school, nervewrecking waits.

She never broke a sweat, very level headed.
Aint no thang.
(just to get nominated was an honour)

Congratulations honey!

Reality Through Film.

2009-12-06T11:22:00.003+10:00

Broaden your mind with this film that was too confronting to be shown at local cinema's, (probably because they couldn't squeeze money out of it), while "Saw 14" is fed to the public.
It may be hard to swallow for some but it's reality.

The sale of people is thriving.
If you, like me, want to do something, get educated.
Knowledge is power.

Tickets $5.oo from the door.

Loyalty Rules.

2009-11-30T23:50:00.002+10:00

Meet Pablo

A Pom-chi. (chihuahua X pomeranian)

I would have a gun dog if i could, as with all aspects of my life I have had to swallow what has been thrown my way.

Example; I have no balance, so a large dog could easily pull me over.

My family had a few dogs as I was growing, but I never had my own. And badly wanted one.
I have always looked at getting my own dog as stepping stone in my life. A signal that all of the planets had aligned for me, a lifestyle that could accommodate, I had reached most of my goals and was comfortable, like a full stop, a sign I knew that I had achieved what I wanted in life and was ready to step back. (much like some people are about having children)

Now my life has taken a180 degree turn, I have had the urge to get my own dog, a close friend who may not be able to talk to me but can be there with me when I have my low points because it gets very lonely down there, apart from that he will be good rehabilitation and therapy.

Pablo is already proving to be funny and a good companion who will always be loyal and that is something you cant buy.

However You Spent It.

2009-11-29T18:47:00.005+10:00

Sunday.
Family, friends, one of the oldest rituals in humanity that brings people from all walks of life together; food and drink, rain, sunshine, snow, boardgames, outdooor games, music, films, idiot box, staying in your pyjamas all day, reading, biscuits and a hot drink, a Sunday drive, a bike ride, a long phone call to someone, relaxing, what ever it is wherever you are and whatever you're doing enjoy it.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMbYOkU7LyI)

Rome Torti.

2009-11-29T00:47:00.003+10:00

The home phone rings, the mobile rings whilst I'm on the home phone, there is a load of washing with my name all over it, the sink is full of dishes that I am meant to do,my stomach makes aches and lets out a groan reminding me it's empty. The idiot box is off and music plays motivating me to write but finding time and letting things pile up is typical.
Solitude is rare this day and age. I want it badly sometimes but it's a pipedream. Being a recluse in a mountain hideaway isn't going to happen for me and should my wish come true I would probably equally wish to be exacly where I am.
The grass definitely isn't greener.

This is what I meant to write and is WAY more important than any chore:

A charity fundraising event was held on Friday night for a member of the skateboarding community, Rome Torti. Rome ,(very good name) , was diagnosed with brain cancer and is fighting it like a champion. The community, (especially skateboard), banded together and put on an exhibition of photo's, (rome had a lot of photo's he'd taken published in skating magazines), art and good times at www.19karen.com , there was a lot of love in the room, the crowd that had come from far and wide spilled onto the street outside and 19 Karen Ave is a big space.

GO ROME!

(i understand that the exhibition goes for a few days, i may be wrong, check www.19karen.com for deets)

Pow - Wow.

2009-11-29T00:33:00.001+10:00

I had a conference with my neurologist, physio, O.T. and speechy last week.
It was good because I know how hard it can be to nail down all of these people and get them all in the same room uninterrupted for a while.

We discussed a lot of things but the most fruitful thing, (i thought), was that everyone is on the same page.

Blossom.

2009-11-28T23:59:00.006+10:00

This is beautiful..

Take a moment and phase out.
This relates to SO many things in life. This flower blooms once a year. There is hundreds of flower bud's that explode with life on each stem, good flower's last for weeks. It changes all the time depending on their durability.
A friend of mine said to me once that he wont give flowers as a gift as he feels they symbolize death.
These flowers will inevitably die but the thing I also like about these is even though they may be on the way out, is that they keep giving life and blooming.
With all the strength they can, they continue to show they're beauty.

I think I'm a hard nut, this is my softer side that only some people see in me.
(i think anyway), (more like it's the other way around).

(huge props to pam & george toogood for the best flowers always).

"One Offs". If You're Around Don't Miss This.

2009-11-17T22:41:00.002+10:00

'Sneak and Destroy' is hosting a
Sneaker art show at Neverland Bar on December 5th - Featuring one of a
kind sneaker designs by the likes of Team Kitten, Kid 9, The Hobo
Obituaries, Claudio Kirac, Christian Halford, Troy Archer, Lenny
Nikijuluw, Nick Charmers and ry ry.....

Music provided by Big Bad (Winnie Coopers) and 'KISS'perience (yep a
fully costumed KISS show)

Thanks to Adidas, DVS, Element, Nike ,Supra and Vans for supplying the canvas.

Mini Update.

2009-11-14T10:31:00.003+10:00

I had an important meeting with my treating neurologist Dr. Max Williams early this week.
It can be very easy to forget that this blog and my life change in April last year revolves around this filthy affliction.

Back in June/ July this year I had another M.R.I. of the brain and the results hadn't come back for my last visit with Dr. Williams 2 months ago but they were ready this time, (you would hope so after 5 months, the results only have to travel 5 levels in an elevator), they showed that the Cerebral part of my brain shows deterioration. He doesn't know what this means as I am not really showing obviously detrimental signs. It was compared to an M.R.I. of the same area I had in May last year when I first presented with my symptoms. Everything looked normal, (the size of a garden pee), hence my diagnosis left everyone scratching their heads.

I can't say there are obvious differences but people that don't see me too often may differ in opinion.
I have noticed things like my mental stamina, my memory and little things get to me and build up to become huge, (but that may be me, i hate incompetence).

Subtly things are coming undone but I can't put my finger on it at this stage.
Things could be much worse though.

Another thing I would like to make happen is a conference with EVERYONE.
From my GP to the community transport company TRANSCORD, so everyones on the same page.
A difficult thing to get everyone in the same room at one time.

Stay tuned..

11. 11. 11

2009-11-11T17:45:00.000+10:00

Today I was in the middle of rehabilitation when 11:00 came around. The entire gymnasium and nearby wards were totally silent.

Much respect.

Skills.

2009-11-10T22:45:00.002+10:00

Last week, as I do every wednesday, I had an hour of occupational therapy amongst other therapies my half day of rehabilitation.
O.T. concentrates on fine motor skills. Painting & hand strengthening etc.
The idea of rehabilitation for me is turning what I learn & adapting it to give me the confidence to use it in my every day living.
This particular day they had a typewriter that I used. This was the result.

No spellcheck. No reminders. No delete.

Check Yo Self! (err please)...

2009-11-06T14:55:00.000+10:00

If you haven't been here in a while then shame on you!
I update it weekly so check it for a fresh batch of updates.