I don’t know if any one out there has experienced the same problem - These days, I am finding my mobile drops out more often than it used to.

These days, I travel around a lot more because the nature of my job has changed from sitting behind a desk to going out on site to see clients. So as I am driving from one place to another, I find my reception just drops out. This in turn frustrates me to no avail! I’m with Vodafone and mainly travel metro areas but it just appears worse than ever!

When I consult the ‘coverage maps’ it says I should be fine - maybe it’s time to change mobile or change carriers. Any one with feedback on how I can reduce this problem - happy to hear from you.

Over the last week, there has been wide spread news coverage on the race riots in Sydney. The riots were apparently fueled by an underlying tension between the Arabic and Anglo saxon community, a so called turf war on Sydney’s beaches, as reported by one of Sydney’s papers. This came to a head when two Cronulla life savers were assaulted by a group of men of Middle Eastern apprearance.

Turf war on Sydney beaches is not an uncommon phenomenon. In the 1960s, it was the hippies versus the rockers. Today we have surfers fighting surfers for waves that were stolen. These unrulely behaviours from people are regardless of race of background. Not long ago, a group of students from an upper class Sydney private boys school went and terrorised the residents of Bondi by destroying cars and public property when their end of school year function ended earlier than expected at the local golf club. Several years ago, there was news coverage on Asian gangs terriorising and threatening Chinese store owners in Chinatown, demanding protection money.

With the incident of the two life guards being assaulted, the media labelled the groups action as ‘Un- Australian”. Such terms, coupled with the fact that the men were of Middle Eastern appearance was enough to make any so called “Australian’s”, blood boil. But that is exactly what the media wants, an emotive reaction from the public which will sell papers and will increase viewers interest. What is really sad is that an entire community is now at the forefront of being victimised due to the stupid and reckless actions of group of young men with alot of angst, testosterone, immaturity and untamed energy. This angst, testosterone, immaturity and untamed energy which exists in young people of all communities, regardless of race or ethnic background.

The view of the Australian public is deeply skewed by the emotive reporting by the media. I truely question the amount of critical analysis that Australian’s carry out when reading their daily newspaper, when tuning into their talkback radio station.
The media has alot to answer for in further segregating and dividing the Australian community.

How I hate buying shoes, especially work shoes. Thankfully I only need to buy it every couple of years, and I’ve reached that time again to look for work shoes. I don’t think I ask for that much in a pair of shoes, I just want a pair of closed, classic style, black, low heeled pair of shoes that would go with a skirt or pants. I want a pair of shoes that I can comfortably walk to and from the train station, and do a quick dash to the train if required, that doesn’t slip off my feet or cause me to twist my ankle. Now is that asking too much?

What I see on the market these days are either flat black shoes – great for walking, but looks a little odd in a business suit, or high stilettos – looks great in a business suit and those that have narrow feet, but not that great if you need to walk to places.

I think the problem lies here; I’m an average Asian about 160cm, and wear size 5.5 or size 6 shoes depending on the make. When I find the pair of shoes that meet the above requirements, I ask to try a size 5.5 and a size 6. Now usually the size 6 is brought out for me to try, and I am hoping that it would fit me. But no, it’s half a size too big, so I ask them if they have half a size smaller or it’s just the make. Either they don’t know or the smallest they make is a 6. Usually it’s the latter.

Now is it just me that has these problems, or are they other small feet women out that have similar problems?