DESTINY 1

I was 17 years old and had flown through my final year of high school---I didn't have to wait for my results, I knew that I had passed every subject and passed them well.
My parents were pointing me towards a University education but I wanted to earn money--I didn't want another 4 or 5 years of a decent degree---I wanted to be out in the world and raking in the big money ---ha, smart kid.
It wasn't that I didn't know where I wanted to work but as to what I wanted to do, that was another thing.
My maternal grandfather was an engineer in the ship building industry in Scotland, my paternal great grandfather was a master mariner---owning and mastering ships that traded along the coast of Australia and my paternal grandfather was a wharf and jetty builder for all of the Ports of this state.
I was born and lived all of my life on a peninsular with magnificent beaches but great views of our deep water port on one side and an ocean fed river and inner port on the other side.
I was always on boats---I just loved shipping--it was a passion---and I was going to work in some sort of marine industry---which one, I had no idea---but one of them.

My parents insisted that if I wasn't going to University to study, that I should be working as soon as possible---and they instilled into me that if I could.t find the job that I really wanted, I should take a job to earn my way and get some experience---seemed fair to me so I applied for seven jobs--none of them in my chosen field but all not far from home.
I got seven call backs / interviews---good deal, it was easy. Six of them were an absolute coast and I was happy that I had done well but the seventh one was strange---they had aptitude tests, psychological tests and mathematical tests--well, it was in an accounting area.
I turned up for my testing thinking that it would be one on one with an interviewer but there I was in a classroom situation with eleven other people---test booklets were handed out, the clock ticked over and we had a maximum of three hours to complete all testing. About an hour in I had finished and sat there staring into oblivion--the testing officer came to me and asked what was wrong---I told him that I was finished---he looked at me and said "I doubt that---very few people can finish these tests in the three hours allowed, so you have done something drastically wrong--maybe you should take the time to look through them again"
Now that panicked me and I started all over again going through one test after another --it took as long as doing the tests but not long after the two hour point I was sitting there looking at the interviewer---he came to me and I told him I had checked everything and was happy with my work---he took my tests and escorted me from the room and told me that I had done something drastically wrong and that I really shouldn't expect to hear from them again----and I didn't think I would.

I decided which of the jobs I wanted---it was with a nation wide airline and could hold my interest for a while.
I got replies from the original six interviews, five of them offering me a job and of course, the airline said I'd finished second so they couldn't offer me a job right then.
The next day I heard from the the seventh--they wanted me to come in and talk about my testing.
I was sure that I stuffed up---well, the interviewer told me---but I thought that I might as well find out where I went wrong.
I turned up for an interview with the managing director of this major electronics company, expecting to be told that I was stupid----he started of by saying that he couldn't offer me the accounting job--even though I had aced the mathematical testing, the aptitude testing said that my abilities should be used elsewhere---I stood up, shook his hand and thanked him but he stopped me---no Clyde, we wont give you this job but what we want to offer you is a cadetship in Electrical Engineering--we will pay you to go to University and you will work with our engineers here and interstate---you will be fast tracked and from what your testing reveals, you should have a 5 year degree in 3 years.
Now that stopped me in my tracks---I had refused my parents pleas to go to University because I wanted money and here I was being offered the only cadetship in Australia and being paid a full wage to go to University.
It was a lot to think about and I asked for a few days to make a decision.

Two days later I had made up my mind.
I had methodically gone through the pros and cons of every job on offer to me and I had made my decision for the best of reasons.

Ten days later I started work with a British based insurance company.
Why ?
Well the receptionist had a great pair of tits.
Hey, I was 17 years old---and what do 17 year old boys think about.

Turned out that she was 26 and hated younger guys

A week after I started, the Airline contacted me and offered me the job---but I chose to stay---
I only lasted 3 months---it was not challenging in the least and those tits just weren't worth it---I quit and went in search of a job in shipping.

Next time

ELEMENTS

I married into a family who all seemed to suffer from the same flaw---basic stupidity.
But that is in my past and I am well out of it.
Well, I have been divorced for some years but I still get phone calls from various members of the family looking for some sort of assistance with their problems.
It was egotistical of me to think that I am smarter or more logical than them but they keep feeding my ego by phoning me.

My ex sister in law phoned me to see if I could do anything to help her husband (my ex wife's brother). He had been arrested and charged with larceny (stealing) and with a previous indiscretion, had been told by his lawyer that he would probably go to gaol.
OK, I do not have a law degree but have worked in the law all of my life---I do know a fair bit about the laws of my state.
I really didn't want to get involved but I always liked my ex sister in law and they do have a young family----so I told her to get my ex brother in law to phone me.

Of course, straight away, he thought I could use some sort of favour or leverage to get him out of his predicament----told you that they weren't too bright.
His story was that he had taken two shock absorbers from a car on the side of the road and had been caught by a police patrol staking out the car.
OK, that's all pretty simple---he did it---he's guilty---and that's what he thought and that's what his lawyer thought----simple, she is a public defender--free lawyer--and she will help him explain his circumstances to the court and try for the best sentence.
So G, tell me about this car---was this the first time you had seen it---did you have tools with you or did you break the pieces off it ?
"No Clyde, the car was almost a shell---been dumped on it's roof on the side of the road---I had ridden past it for four days going to and from work and only stopped to look on the fourth day---went home, got tools, went back and got the shockers---the cops came from nowhere and grabbed me."
OK, so what did the cops tell you---"They told me it was a stolen car and that I was stealing from it and I was going to be charged---and I wasn't the first one that they had caught."
So G, you saw the car there for four days, who did you think had dumped it there--
"Clyde, I thought the owner had stripped it and dumped it---all of the ID plates were gone so no one could trace the owner"
OK, so when are you due in court---"Tomorrow"
Alright, I will see you there.

I met G at the court and wanted to see his lawyer----she was in the courtroom representing another six people ---she would see him just before his case was called on----G, this is the first time you have been to court on this---"No, I've been twice before, pleaded guilty and I am getting sentenced today"---Shit G, you could have told me that before--I can see this all going wrong but wait here, I'll be back and don't go into court without me.
Knowing a few people in the court office, I got access to a computer, looked up a form, filled it in and printed it off, went back to G and got him to sign it---typical, he signed it and then asked what it was for.
Well G, you are going to sack your lawyer and you are going to seek the leave of the court to have me as a McKenzie Friend---an unqualified friend to speak on your behalf----G is dumb and very trusting, so he decided to go with the flow but sacked why sack the lawyer----well mate, I can't trust her to do what I need her to do--and by the way, you are not guilty of any offence in this case.
The lawyer, being very busy in court or not really caring, did not come outside to speak to G before his matter was called on for hearing----I had to urge him to talk to the Magistrate and to hand up his signed McKenzie Friend notice----the Magistrate was not impressed, asked G if he understood what he was doing and released to lawyer from the case.

The Magistrate was less impressed when I made an application to withdraw the guilty plea and plead not guilty----he insisted that any change of circumstances and admissible facts be presented to the Court before he would even think about allowing a change of plea.

Well your honor, the elements of the offence of larceny include that the offender knew that he had no right to take the goods, that he took the goods without permission of the owner, that he meant to permanently deprive the owner of the goods, and that the offender knew that the goods were owned by another person-----the problem with this case is that the car was dumped on the side of the road, had been there for four days and that my friend thought that the owner had dumped it there and relinquished all rights to it---he thought that the goods had no owner---so you cannot knowingly steal something which you believe does not have an owner or that the owner has relinquished all rights of ownership..

The magistrate allowed the change of plea and set the matter down for a trial.

Two weeks later my G received a letter from the prosecutions branch that the matter had been withdrawn and that the matter would be dismissed in court on the trial date.
Just to make sure that there were no loose ends, we had the matter called on in court later that week and it was dismissed.

I knew what my result would be---within a week, my ex in laws didn't want to know me again----but of course, they will call when they need me---and I can decide if I should help----I'm getting less inclined.
The one thing I didn't tell G or any of his family was that we could have applied for costs against the prosecution and got his four days of lost wages paid---but just for completeness, I did tell the prosecutor -----he roared with laughter and he did tell the public defender lawyer, who actually learned a lesson on the law.

LADY BY PROFESSION

A few years ago I went to Malaysia to visit a friend of mine who was based there in the Australian Air force.
His Asian wife told him that he should take me on a tour of the "bars".
Now, I'm not naive but this is my mates wife sending us out, so I'm thinking we are out for a night of drinking----but we are in Asia, so yes you are right.

No sooner had we sat down than two girls are sitting at our table and asking us to buy them drinks. I'll buy any lady a drink so of course I bought drinks ----the conversation soon turned to sex and we are being offered everything with a very reasonable (cheap) price tag----we had a good few drinks and I realised that I was alone with this girl---my mate had disappeared with the other girl---married men.
Now I have nothing against the very honourable profession but I will never pay for sex---just something in my head----but I paid my companion, bought her another drink or two and sat there talking to her.
She told me that she got paid a very small amount for each drink that I bought and that she got half of the money that she was paid for sex (so I gave her a few dollars more for herself)----she was from a very poor family and this was the best way that she could make money for her family----her mother had been in the business before her. She introduced me to a very beautiful girl who sat down with us to talk---business was slow----but then she told me that this beauty was her brother.
Brother---no no, sister---no sir he is my brother--"show him"----and he did---he had quite substantial wedding tackle------he told me the same sort of story----that this was the best way he had to support his family----and with a very tidy body, hormone enhanced breasts--he showed me---he was earning a good living giving and taking what he could----and he told me that us Anglo Saxon people enjoy playing with lady boys.---NOT ME BUDDY, but thanks for the show.

My mate convinced his wife that he should take me down to Singapore for a week---and she agreed-----he actually needed to get away for a week because he had an STD from our visit the bars.
On our second night he took me to the Offshore Club---at least he told me that we were going to a place full of lady boys-----I admit that it was a great night and neither of us disappeared to a dark place to be tugged or swallowed by the stars of the show----but I spotted who I thought was my neighbours daughter---I walked over, tapped her on the shoulder and said "Elizabeth, what are you doing here"----the answer was in a very deep voice and after explaining myself, I had a friend for the night-----we left at 5 in the morning and my "Elizabeth" jumped in the cab with us and directed us to the best place for breakfast----her/his name was Marina---we had breakfast with the other lady boys and grabbed a cab back to the hotel---Marina came with us because she lived that way--so I paid the cabby to take her home.
Around midday, we were having breakfast/lunch and Marina turned up---this beautiful woman/man showed us around town--places my mate had never seen and the cheapest shopping ever---I tried to buy her dinner at one of the better hotels but she wouldn't come in because her sister worked there----her story was the same as those in Malaysia---this was the best way he/she could earn money to support his/her family---but he made sure that his sister followed another life. We wanted to eat there so without embarrassment to my new friend, I paid him/her for a great time, with no sex---wished her/him good luck and it was over.
Marina did tell me that they were called Shims and there was a yearly competition to find the Queen of the Shims---the winner received the option of an all expenses paid sex change operation in Denmark----ooh, what a prize---you have just won having your dick chopped off---be still my heart.

Well here I am in Asia, so my mate drove me up and across the Thailand border----no sooner are we in our hotel and the lift/elevator driver is offering us everything from his 16 year old sister to his 12 year old brother.
OK, I'm an Australian and pretty broadminded, but offering your whole family up between the ground floor and the tenth floor seemed pretty sad to me----I spoke to the lift driver later and basically, this was the only way that his family survived and they were lucky because he had his contacts in the hotel and they all got plenty of work.
I was not surprised to go to the bars and find the lady boys in action---and god some of these guys/girls are bloody stunning----and what is it about me that I end up talking to them----and would you guess---yep, same story---poor family and the best way of earning a dollar.

OK, I've finished my tour but then on line I see this thing about Futanari Dolls in Japan-----it's the same thing all over again but nothing is said about being from poor families---more it is an honourable profession---OK, I'll believe that---the families must be so proud---my son is pretty and has breasts and does things with men---oh, and with unsuspecting women.---Japanese

So this week I hear from an old work mate I haven't heard from in years---he has been running a bar in the Philippines for the past five years----his girls earn an average wage of $4 a day but get paid extra per drink bought by their customer and they pay a premium on anything that they earn by taking a customer off site---hmm, must be tour guides----he told me that his biggest earners were lady boys--and told me the same story about them---
But what he did say, that totally astounded me, was that as the girls get older, they want to get pregnant---because their children are their superanuation---those kids will play the same game and support their parents as they get older.

Lets just finish this off----I saw this documentary about six months ago about the big earners in the sex industry in India were lady boys----I think they were called Hindras----and the most beautiful could win competitions and end up with a full sex change operations----and guess what---they were from poor families and it was the best way of earning money.

I want to go to Vietnam in the near future and I have seen some of the locals portrayed as cheap sex workers---it is not my intention to look for sex workers but am I going to find lady boys working their hearts out for poorer families
I love Asia---it is great to be and see somewhere that has a completely different lifestyle to my own. Most Asians are very gentle people and very proud of their countries and way of life.
Is it sad that they find a way of life offering sexual services to Anglo tourists---is it sad that young boys become women by profession---but what would their life be if they didn't make this choice

Oh, and I have payed plenty of sex workers in Asia money but none for sex---but I have learnt a lot.

CONSENTING

A good friend phoned me last week in a real panic.
His young son had just been arrested and charged with having sex with his under age girlfriend-----as young couples are inclined to do.

Now my friend called me because I have worked in the law all of my life. He wanted to know what he should do---which lawyer he should go to----would his son go to gaol---would a conviction be on his record for the rest of his life.

I laughed at him, told him to keep his head, not to get angry with his son and that I would be at his home in an hour.
My first question to his son was "How did the Police get involved--who told them ?."
It was the girls Father who had caught them in the act---embarrassing to have a parent wander in while you are nuts deep in their daughter----ah, but I didn't say that.
Second question was "How old is your girlfriend ?"-----Just turned 16----And "How old are you ?"----come on Uncle Clyde, you know I'm 16, you were at my birthday party.
Now for the big question---"Did you force her or did she want to do it ?"----It was her idea--she wanted to try it and so did I.

Now the age of consent in my State is 17-----very confusing country---the laws are mainly State Laws---other States have an age of consent of 16---one State has 16 but you have to be 18 to try anal sex---now that's confusing----and there is one State that we all joke about saying it's OK at any age as long as it's your sister and you have tried it with a sheep first----
OK, back to the serious story.

So with all of the information that I needed, I phoned the arresting officer---I know him---He said "Clyde, you know I cant talk to you about this.---the father has complained to us, we have a statement from the girl, your mate's son has admitted it, so we had to charge him"-----Yep, that's fine--you have a statement from the girl, you have a statement from the boy, so have you arrested and charged the girl?.

There was a strange silence on the phone then a "What do you mean--the girl---why"
Well, the boy is under the age of consent, you have these statements, so she is as guilty as he is, you have the same evidence against her, why isn't she arrested and charged ?
He laughed--but realised that I was right---"What are we going to do with this Clyde--what do you suggest ?".
Well I would suggest that you go and tell her father what you have now discovered and that the boys father is happy that no charges be laid against his daughter if he reconsiders the charges against his son.

It was all a done deal within an hour and all charges were dropped---but my mates son is not allowed to see his girlfriend anymore---well not officially.

But it got me thinking---what is an appropriate age of consent---is it 16 or 17 or maybe some other age.

OK, so I checked on the Web----just to see what was the go in other countries.
Scandinavian countries are quite famously liberal in their views yet they varied from 15 to 18.
American States are as bad as Australia---a variety of ages
Yet sneak across the boarder to Mexico and its 14
India intrigued me---it's 14 if your married and it can be lowered, but 16 if you are not married----married at 14 or younger---come on.

It was an interesting list---there was even provisions in some countries that are the targets of sex tourists that the age alters if there is money involved or there is coercion by a much older adult.

BUT here it is---yes it was on the list---look it up if you like---
Through all of Europe, the youngest age of consent was 15 except for--
Oh, I don't believe it
No wonder we have trouble all around the world from people associated with this State

The lowest age of consent in the world is 12---yes, 12 years old and it is The VATICAN STATE----yes, look it up
No wonder the Pope doesn't want to get involved with Priests having sex with children---it's OK in the VATICAN

CRIMES & STARS

Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone----well, it went something like that---and hey, you, stop chucking those rocks---we know what you've done.

I worked with a man a good few years ago who gave me a good piece of advice---
"Clyde, there's two types of people in this world---those that are in gaol and those that could have been"
I laughed at the time but realised that he was telling me to take everyone on face value and to let them prove me wrong.

But literally, maybe he was right.

We have all ----well, at least me---done something in our lives that could have landed us on the wrong side of the law.

OK, I'm going to admit to having a sexual relationship with an under age girl---and that could have put me in gaol
The fact was that she was a little more under age than I was, but the guys always get it in the neck and if we had been found out, I probably would have ended up in court and maybe gaol.
I did do a little drunken driving in my early days and of more recent times, I may have threatened an obnoxious neighbour with some rather unusual bodily bodily harm.

Probably the worst thing I have ever done in my life was to throw someone in front of a train---OK, well I was 11 years old, he was the school bully and he was picking on my brother who had polio-----no police, no gaol time and we have been friends for life.

OK, that's the crime bit----

I was reading the free little local paper and came to that page--you know--connections---the dating column.
I love to read them and admit to answering a couple of adds a few years back--
They are sad, pathetic, funny and mostly unrealistic.
54 year old woman wants man, must be tall, slim, non smoker, non drinker aged 30 to 35.-----come on mum, put the children down
Now I really don't care if you call yourself young at heart because your bust line is now where your waist used to be-----I don't care if you call yourself buxom because you talking bathroom scales yell for one at a time---
Oh, does easy going mean that you put out and does nice gentleman mean, but not with me ?

But, I'm looking for a nice Taurus or Libran guy---or want a loving Pisces girl.
Come on---since when did your star sign maketh the man.
I know of 5 people born on my birth day and a few born under the same star sign and I don't really relate to any of them.
I share a birth date with Shakespeare---enough said---me, a poet, playwright--insecure---never
Adolph Hitler shares my star sign---now I may be guilty of a conquest or two, but never a country and I'm not racist.

So what the fuck---oh, there's that word again---descriptive----so what the fuck does your star sign have to do with who or what you are.

A great little skit from Billy Connolly---young man dancing with a strange girl at a local dance and she asked him what his star sign was---"Ah, Sagittarius, half man, half horse, licenced to shit in the street"

And that's about what I think of star signs---oh, hang on, it says I'm going to come into some money----yeh,right, like I'm gonna wank in my wallet.

Oh well, you know more about me---scary

QUESTIONS

Over a year or two of blogging and emailing, friends have sent me questionnaires on all sorts of subjects and I have ducked them with a passion.
But the Irish Connection, Mapstew, just completed one on his blog and shouted out for me to do the same----and being the very polite young man that he is, he added--only if you want to.

OK, it's taken me a while but I thought, just this once, I would complete one. Just the 8 questions.

1. WHY DID YOU START BLOGGING.

OK, a friend of mine started to write a blog and gave me the link. I commented on her posts anonymously. When I tried to comment on Steph Shaws blog, I couldn't without a Blog Account--so Clyde was born. It was the lovely Ms Shaw who encouraged me to post my own stories after seeing something in my comments--she thought I had something to say. Thank you Steph and hurry back.

2. I YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WITH NO RESTRICTION ON COST, WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY ?

My mother was born in Scotland and I love all things Scottish, so I would be off to Scotland tomorrow. But of course, while I am in that part of the world, I have to go to Ireland to see a beautiful country and to meet up with Stew for a pint or two--and he's going to get me a Corr.-----I'm almost duty bound to go to Britain & Ireland.
But---I do love all things Asian. I've been to Malaysia and Singapore and want to go back but I really want to see Vietnam, China, Korea and Japan---I guess it's lifestyles completely different to mine.

3. DID YOU HAVE A TEACHER AT SCHOOL WHO HAD A GREAT INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE ? IF SO, WHAT ?

Oh yes. Her name was Colleen Davis. She was my history teacher in my first year of high school--aged 13---she was also the sports mistress--and quite often she would come to teach our class in a very short little tartan skirt---she had a habit of sitting on the front of her desk while she lectured.
I failed history but learned every way to be in the right position to see up her skirt and had more erections in that hour lesson than any other week in my life---I think I learned a lot about raging teen hormones.

4. IF YOU COULD SPEND THE DAY WITH A FAMOUS PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO ?

Should I say Pamela Anderson because I want to look at her tits--but they're plastic and will melt one day----or George W Bush to just ask him why---or Monica Lewinsky to ask if she really thought it was a good idea----but no---I would love to spent a day talking to Billy Connolly. Billy has an opinion on everything in life and can see the fun in the world---amazing for a man who had a very sad upbringing

5. TOILET PAPER. UNDER OR OVER ?

Thank you Ponita for telling me what this meant.
Well I never really cared and it always used to be under so that you pulled it away from the wall---but then the best paper---you know --the one that your fingers never go through--nasty---but the best started to put a printed pattern on it so you should mount it over---it looks better
Things were so simple when it was just white or a pastel peach colour.

6. NAME ONE THING IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU WOULD DO OVER IF POSSIBLE ?

I have often thought about this and it is always the same.
I had been going out with this beautiful girl for about four weeks when my best mate came home from an Air force posting---he wanted to go to an Air force party and needed me to drive. Instead of telling my girl the truth, I told her a lie and went to the party. Rosalind Fox, I'm sorry--it was the dumbest thing that I have ever done--I should not have lied
Note: he is still my best friend but I will always wonder what could have been.

7. TELL US ABOUT YOUR PETS, IF ANY

I'm a dog person---always have been. I have a beautiful golden Labrador girl who walks the beach with me every day---she runs my life.I have a budgie--little Australian parrot---I hate birds in cages---they should be free---but I am looking after him for 6 weeks---well I was---he has been here for three years--his owner is in a nursing home---I cant let him free--born in captivity and he would die.
And of course a horse---she now lives at a breeding farm and has a foal due in about 4 weeks.

8. DO YOU LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN OR A LARGE TOWN ?

I live in the seaside suburbs of the capital city of my State--I'm close to the sea, not far --30 mins---from the city and less than 30 minutes from the edge of suburbia.

OK Stew, Ive done it---so the deal now is that I should nominate other people to do the same things so that I know more about you---but I don't like doing these things, so I'm not going to start naming people to do the same.

But if you don't the bluebird of happiness will fly up and shit all over your shoulders-----and you are probably not that interesting in any case

CELEBRATING SORROW

Today is Fathers Day in Australia

A day when so many people celebrate having or being a father.
A day of respect for fatherhood.
A day when families get together. A family day.

There are a few family days during the year and hopefully some of them are the reasons for families forgetting about anger and fear and getting together and remembering that they are a family.

The weather has not been kind over the past week but this morning the sun shone and I walked the beach with my dog.
I spoke to my father and told him that I loved him.
And as a tear rolled down my cheek, I told him that I missed him.

My father died some years ago and I spread his ashes on the beach he loved to walk.

I have no family, so these family days are not so happy but they are a good reminder of the wonderful people who have passed through your life.

It's my Mum's birthday soon.
I'll talk to her and tell her that I love her.

She is on the beach with Dad---

Sometimes I want to stay with them