Comments by "Helmuth Schultes" (@helmuthschultes9243) on "IWrocker"
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Bob Jane of course was one of the greats in racing in Australia, and built up a sognificant business empire around cars and of course racing, the Calder Park facility a big part of that. Sadly for him one aspect became a tradgedy. In business, money is the prime aim, and whether enemy, competitor or family makes no difference, it is all about being top man, the riches determine the target. Legal, illegal , dirty tactics, legal proceeding, take overs, everything is fair game in business.
Well one major business Bob Jane built was the Bob Jane T-Mart tyre sales chain. I have purchased all my 4WD tyres from these stores sinve mid to late 1980s.
Sadly Bob had his son involved in the the business. As business goes it was profitable and as mentioned where money is concerned, anything goes, and while I can not relate the whole saga, Bob got taken out by his own son. Dirty games and legal proceedings a plenty, Bob got displaced by his son, who I believe in greed stole (legally?) The entire T-Mart business, thereby effectively the whole empire, dumping dad, Bob, in most cruel manner destroying his life. Many more legal actions followed, but seems money and lawyers win against those left few resources. Such should never happen in the family, but business is often dirty business.
Bob became a broken man.
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A very common RED food dye still used in many places is banned in many countries as it is carcinogenic. FANTA is expected by many people to be orange colour. In Europe it is a pale more lemon yellow.
Our local Tasmanian farmed Salmon and Atlantic Ocean Trout are farmed in open inlet ocean waters. Having bought both packaged, and whole fish, that I filleted_ carved myself, the colour is a consistent pleasant salmon pink. Also matching wild trout caught fishing in mountain rivers. There does not seem any evidence any is artificial colours.
Pickles out of Europe are mostly a dull green-brown, yet some imported pickles are a luminous strong green far beyond growing cucumber colour.
Fruit also I have not any impression of artificially coloured. One aspect is some people expect extremely perfect appearance no blemishes or shape deviations. Some markets/countries expect premium only fruits, but are paying more. Quite a bit of local premium sorted fruit is exported to sell at even ten times or more normal price, while we get a lot of thevsorting rejects with shape variations blemish spots. The fruit is perfectly fine as natural fruit is far from perfect skin , size and shape.
In meat retail, displays are often under red coloured lighting looking real rich blood red but on unwrapping at home, the actual meat can be almost anaemic looking, pale red and almost tending brownish. Yet flavour is fine. Yes we like the meat real red to seem very fresh. In reality meat must be hung for days at least. Having had fresh kill beef less than 12hrs after slaughter, est about 6 hrs, it actually tasted unusual and even not entirely pleasant, though hard to define. It was barbequed on a cattle ranch with about 120 people in attendance that evening, slaughtered before I got up in the morning. Definitely very deep red even dripping blood.
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Up to mid France, southern Germany, they getcquite some hot weather with winds carrying air from Egypt, Libya, Morocco across the Mediteranian and Alps Temp e raptures go over 35°C to 40•C, so 95°F to over 104°F at times for week at a time. However my experience in Gemany was people do go to T shirt, Shorts and sandals. I as an Australian still ran around in long trousers closed leather shoes and long sleeve shirt as worn to work in engineering office, though for after work beer garden did take off the tie worn to work.
I have at times pointed out, on topic of Tshirt as Nd shorts habits that real hot countries, such as Middle East, India Egypt, Arabia, the normal clothing is full body cover of loose clothing, not the half naked style of most of our country people in hot weather.
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The area we have snow in winter goes from these Snowy Mountains to just east of Melbourne a huge high Plains snow fields, that in snow season provides plenty for down hill skiing as well for snow touring in places that in warmer times provide with ample bush walking and hiking. For hiking there are trails all the way from Queeslnsland to mid Victoria as continuous trails that in winter cover many hundreds of trails through snow country. Travel with many mountain huts usable for overnight rest on multi day treks. 4WD trails/fire tracks exist too for enthusiasts though much of snow country roads and trails are closed over winter months. Some highways remain open into snow areas that for cars allow access to snow resorts and require cars to have snow chains fitted while 4WDs only need to fit these if needed for progress, though must carry chains . I have travelled through over hundred km snow covered highway both ways on the same day by 4WD, with up to 1 m snow on the road, even in mild blizzard needing to stop every few km to hand clear snow accumating on the windscreen that wipers could not clear away. Car to resort must also pay fees, while through traffic as I was going is free, but thereby not allowed to stop on the ski village/resort. Other times travelled open 4WD trails to the point of being blocked by snow over 2m and needing to recover by winching and back tracking as through progress not possible. Even placed into a snow cover at a low track point with progress stopped with deep snow to door handles of my Toyota Landcruiser.
Now certainly the USA has a large part of the country covered by snow and very cold conditions, far greater than Australia. However we can choose to go to snow areas within as little as hundred kilometers from some major cities BY CHOICE. While a very large part of US population have no choice but to be forced to endure Snow and Icy roads for months. Even southern states seem to get snow and ice for significant times. It happens each and every year whether you want it or even like it. We have full choice to go or not go to enjoy snow, not have to endure it and hate the stuff, and resulting life copromises. Other than frosty nights and a few lower places getting snow for a few morning hours or worst case mere few days of few cm of snow, people do not need to worry. Temperatures even in NSW and Vic remain at worst to just under freezing point say -1°C. In the snow fields extreme lows get no more than -15°C, approx 5°F but mostly no lower than -10°C, 14°F so still compartively mild cold. Also day time usually good chance of sunny conditions, not to exclude cloudy and snowy weather also.
I think if given a choice much of the US population would be quite happy, even overjoyed to not ever have sub 32°F, sub 0°C or much lower as applies to much of USA.
As car drivers we do not even need a second set of wheels for winter tyres, unless regularly intending to go into snow country, or even have tyre chains for that travel need. Though cars entering snow resort must have and usually fit tyre chains on reaching snow line.
Yes really nearby snow is restricted to NSW Victoria and Tasmania, needing rather far travel for larger part of Australia like Queensland, SA and WA. Still quite possible to go if wishing to go to the snow. NZ is also quite within reach.
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Sadly soviet union actually took control of most of the countries that became free with the ultimate breakdown of the soviet union, that currently appear to be the main aim of Putin to restore to Russian control to say it has restored the Soviet Union. Like now the Baltic countries Poland, Yugoslavia, Czech Republic, Hungary were all independant, though many had close ties with Germany/Austria. Big parts of present Poland were in fact under German rule. Anyhow if anything Gemany was defeated on Soviet side as its losses there depleted resources to continue fighting in the western side. But under US pressure, to my understanding, the Soviet occupation of eastern Europe and Baltic States was allowed to un challenged in part to get out of continued fighting. Much of Eutope left in poorer state than had Germany won. Not that I agree with the EXTREMELY BAD , IMMORAL aspects of Nazi actions.
One point, majority of northern and western regions of Germany suffered under Nazi rule and resisted the Nazi regime. Majority of soldiers sent into war were scared conscripts much like present Russian troops in Ukraine, and faced firing squads for refusing to serve. Younger children/teens were forced into youth leagues fir indoctrination, and gained extra credits for dobbing on anyone not following party lines and doctrine. Fear abounded. A frequently overlooked fact, Hitler was NOT German but Austrian from very close to Yugoslave border. A region that in not so distant past had internal genocide issues, a war that US helped clearup. But those regions have a long history of cultural genocide. Further Hitler was a military courier in WW I and was almost killed by a Mustard gas attack leaving him somewhat brain damaged, needing many months of on hospital recovery.
Hitlervwas NOT fully supported through out Germany most power and actual votes that put him into political position was by Bavarian voters, who always have more link to Austria than Germany while remaing one of the number of United States making up Germany.
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Victoria has regular changes to motto, Garden State, Place to Be, Education State, and others.
The new, now years old, change to digit, 2x char, digit, 2x char rrplaced the old series 3x charcter and 3x digits as thevcharacters were about to rollover ZZZ .
Now the number of combinations is larger but also running up.
One I saw years ago on a Black BMW was "1DO-1CE" so the driver was claiming I Do Ice, so highlighting as a drug addict. Nice way to gain police tracking.
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@durv13 Yes depends on many factors, 9n the actual opal fields the main trade is to international buyers 2ho really only buy top grade, and nothing thin layer or uncertain depth. Yes I too assisted a cousin from Germany to buy some opal pieces for as little as $25 for a small jar full and up to $100 for a jam jar size of cutting pieces, Also seen some old guys at sunday markets with jars and bottles from $5 to $200 and rarely above $500. Basically up to 50% cutable. These bottles and jars are generally material the miners were unable to sell to the gem trade, does not mean that there is some very nice stuff in there. Also little sample tubes full of tiny chips all very beautiful colours, but too small for other than epoxy potted opal chip jewellery or as curiosity tourist trinkets for from $1 to $5 typically.
I have found many people are very happy to have some lower grade piece with some colour for their rock collection, even seen a cactus potplant surface decorated by potch with colour slivers. Cutting grade opal is wasted laying in some rock box as a curiosity.
If you really have desire to, please feel free to send IWROCKER some terrific Opal sample,
I will try with what I feel is a suitable non gem grade example, depending on finding a suitable piece in the next few days, else it will miss the current parcel being packed now.
As far as local guys selling pieces of Opal, I have in last 5 years not really tried, but used to see such regularly at markets, but have never seen any in 10 years. The local area had three guys selling from their garage, but they have no longer been listed in the local newspaper/council magazine adverts.
But also I should add I have picked up pieces swept from buyers rooms at the Coober Pedy motel where they reside while buying and also pieces dumped in surrounding garden and from ute trays during cleaning the vehicle around town, that equalled or bettered what was in those offered cheap jars.
My first big buying attempt, as mentioned in my first comment for $250 of pieces at Andamooka, on light aircraft trip there was a massive disappointment as the smallest bags at buyer/seller agents, were thousands of dollars, and that not far over 5 oz, at the low cost end. Larger batches were $5000 and up.
All offered pieces were as normally sold to international gem buyers. Premium grade large, thick gem layer, colourful, no sand/rock inclusions, much even clear jelly, and good size pieces, no small chip pieces, suited to make several cut stones each, nothing intended as tiny cut size stones say under 5mm or for doublets and triplets, no cheap gems.
When I talk quality it is for opal that yields cut stones in the thousands of dollars in value.
Yes I too have made nice looking opals polished from what had been throw away rubbish, that is included in the potch class, though seriously potch is really the milky or grey colourless mass, to many though if not gem quality it is lumped together as potch.
Just luck and persistence and trial error and some have enough good opal in there.
Nothing beats digging good stuff yourself, but that needs good miner mates, either having good luck themselves and letting you try a few days, letting you keep what you find or more typically wanting 50/50 share. Certainly if you value living, no illegal access to claims, you may not be found again, and maybe your opalised bones might reappear a few million years in the future.
Else unless you yourself care to invest big in your own claim and spend years, if finance supports it.
There has been a period of very poor Opal yields, many miners abandoning the diggings, and ever more regulations and OHS requirements. Some diggings are now closed, returned to aboriginal ownership, one a bit north of Coober Pedy for example, just the name escapes me now.
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WEIZEN BEER (Wheat beer) comes in two variants, 'Hefe Weizen' (Yeast Wheat) cloudy so not heavily filtered contains yeast residue, and 'Kristal Weizen' (crystal wheat) is filtered leaving a very clear beer. Both are excellent refreshment on a hot day. I personally like the clear variant, but the cloudy type appears most commonly available.
Here in Australia I mostly get these wheat beers at Aldi at certain times of the year. Aldi have both zero alcohol and high alcohol types at various times of the year. Currently I have a number of 500mL high alcohol ones, 2 standard drinks per 500mL due to alcohol content. Also still have 6 bottles of zero alcohol, as we enter autumn here. No more hot days left, but need to consume it while still not too old. As made to German purity laws, only 4 basic ingredients, no preservatives or chemical stabilisers added, should be consumed I reasonable time, not stored for months to years it spoils, drink only good fresh beers.
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It is one thing for a tourist to complain about all the foreigners they see visiting say Spain on holiday. Expecting why don't they learn English so they can answer me when I get lost in their strangely named streets. Have they made any effort to speak a foreign language? NO.
Quite another matter when a business person seeking to do some business in a foreign country, EXPECT that the businesses they seek to deal with have to be fluent in English. Why no effort to at least be able to handle a basic level of the language of that foreign country. If not prepared to do so themselves how about hiring an interpreter to assist their effort. Why should the people they want to meet be fluent in English, or provide the interpreter, it is they that seek business contact. If that foreign company comes to the US to establish business, they send people with English ability, or at least have a trusted interpreter with them. It is appropriate for the seeking company to be prepared.
Another bad business approach, stomp into the reception without any prior appointment, state you have little time, so insist immediate contact with XYZ department. When asked to make an appointment as the people required are not currently available , out of office, with another client, in a meeting demand again immediate attention. No wonder they get nowhere. I arrived at a company once, also without appointment two US businessmen seemed closed to threatening legal action if no one attends to their needs NOW. I was concerned I was not having any luck, as I had just over an hour before needing to be two kilomters away at airport checkin to fly home. My employer needed urgent supply of some special glue for production processes, and I received the request mere hour earlier as I departed Kyoto for the airport in Kobe, a trip in the Japanese Bullet train. I had walked with my suitcases, no taxis at the taxivrank, maybe a half mile to this company. After the two US business men being sent away, escorted by security, due to their belligerent manner, I explained in humble quiete terms my urgent need and that I was flying out that evening and now was having little time. The young lady at reception nodded and made a phone call. Very soon another young girl with better English, as I too spoke no real Japanese, except common greeting terms, and proper humble behaviour, bowing and simple queries. Again explained my needs. She too made a couple of calls and stated unfortunately the people I needed were in a meeting, expected to finish about the time I was due to be at airport checkin. But if lucky these persons might be available in half hour. I accepted the situation and asked if I may wait till I must urgently make my way to the airport. Not only was I invited to wait, but some refreshments and snacks were given.
Some 20 minutes later I was taken up in a lift to a conference room and four people greeted me. They were most pleased that I have business cards with both English and Japanese details (by the way forbidden by my manger as only for senior executives, but my chief engineer had arranged these). They could not do enough. In 15 minutes I had a complementary 2 Kg tin of the glue, as sample, several catalogues, a basic quote for larger batch of the required glue, and promise to follow up with our purchasing people, for which I provided details received in the email requesting me to make that contact.
Interesting was two of these people need to then return to the meeting they were in and I was told sorry about the rude visitors earlier they actually had demanded these other two, I had just been dealing with, were required to meet with them.
I was then driven by one of their chaufer cars to the airport.
Now that is the proper way to get business to business activity. Especially in Japan and most Asian countries. No harsh demands, be humble ,apologetic about language barrier. You get more from offering honey than vinegar.
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No surprise that several of those drivers were to become leading drivers of the Armstrong 500 that now of course os the Bathurst 1000. But of course over 9000 laps, running 9 days, makes ALL endurance races, including Le Mans 24hr a minor event, and 600+ laps in Bathurst race short. No doubt the short rest breaks left drivers as much endurance strained as any modern race. Not very emphasised was the extreme hazard of kangaroo/wallabies, the area has huge numbers and throughout all the years into 2000s they remained hazards to test cars, no doubt to this endurance, and understated. Rabbits too but not such major hazard to cars, excepting making skid hazards.
The circuit then was rather primitive.
By the 1980s when I was regularly there doing the first Fuel Injection adaption for Falcon and LTD versions, there was a fast loop circuit, various endurance road sections, various rough road, hill slope of various gradients , hot and cold test cells, and several workshops. For me several times a week driving from Melbourne to this You Yangs or Geelong engineering, where engine dynes were located. Other days were going to Holden Engineering and Holden Proving Ground at Lang Lang similarly highly developed test area, with almost certainly better and many equivalent facilitie to do Fuel Injection for the Commodore. Very interesting work times. Both meant much time away from my office. Attendance to both facilities continued into 1990s for various activities. My last junior injection application engineer, departed my employer at a sad difficult time latter 1990s, and was employed at Holden, to several years later become manager for the Holden Lang Lang Proving Ground. Sadly after shutdown Holden has sold their Proving Ground
Ford has retained their You Yangs Proving Ground, a basic Engineering group in Geelong, and do Ford development for Ford vehicles on the world market. Latest the new Pickup truck just released near end of 2021, Nov (?)
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