Everyone Knows

"If we're consistently too busy to take a walk, to comfortably relax away from a ringing telephone, to think our thoughts without interruption - then we're just plain too busy. What are our priorities? If we can't quickly say, then the chances are that we're spending most of our time on items that shouldn't be at the top of the list. If I want to make the most of my life, I need to start now."

Believing in Myself.


Tom's funeral tomorrow. I'll be in Canberra at the Lone Father's Conference; which I can't really back out of seeing as I'm billed to give a speach on the second day, Thursday. Still nervous, but somehow it will all come together.

Colin's coming down for the funeral; but isn't staying at the Davids. Too close, he says. Because Tom lived over the road from them with his mother. Too close in many ways, I suspect. The accusative stares. Was it you who introduced him to the dealer, was it, was it? Was it you who lead our dear boy astray, was it, was it? He'd conquered his problems, he was doing well, then you came along, along. And in the dust and the depths and the stares and the glares; I've known them too, known them all my life; in the dance of death; fully optioned deviates crawling from the pit; we thought it was fun, an adventure; a grand way of life. And so many died young.

The tumbles have turned and many things have resolved. I'm going to four days a week at work; which will be brilliant. I was doing 50 plus hours a week with overtime; run ragged; and there was no way up. I've hit the pay ceiling, they explained; for a general reporter. And so without exception, without daily brilliance; staying sober and working hard just doesn't work in this case; better a life. The women inherit the problems and the boys walk of whistling; and I too, am going to walk away; happy, for once in my damn life, happy.


THE BIGGER STORY:

SMH:

Coalition, including supporters of the Treasurer, Peter Costello, has closed ranks around John Howard by ruling out a leadership change before the election.

The move yesterday was prompted by leaked internal Coalition polling that found Mr Howard is perceived as old and dishonest in comparison with the more youthful and favourably regarded Kevin Rudd. This is compounded by a Newspoll out today finding the Government has made no gains on Labor and trails on a two-party basis by 56 per cent to 44 per cent. Earlier yesterday, Mr Howard had said he was "not particularly amazed" at the internal polling but he sensed the Government's stocks had improved since it was compiled on June 21. Not according to the Newspoll. It shows Labor's primary vote is up one point in the past fortnight to 48 per cent, while the Coalition is down one to 39 per cent.

The internal polling, by Crosby-Textor, highlights the Government's failings, including allowing Labor to set the policy agenda. It recommends attacking the states and Labor premiers as a way of paring back Mr Rudd's poll lead.

Mr Rudd - who turns 50 next month and will launch a supporters website, kevin07.com.au, today - said the polling was the reason the Government had stepped up its war on the states, even blaming them for a possible interest rate rise tomorrow.

"This is a devastating indictment of Mr Howard's decision now to govern purely in terms of short-term politics," Mr Rudd said.