Musings...

It has been give or take 11 months since I last made a post on this blog of mine. I really do not remember how many followers I had when I began invisible to all and sundry in the blogging world, and it matters not. Life is not about followers and in many respects it was not about blogposts either.

I have thought about blogging a number of times in the intervening period between the then and the now. It was not writer's block, it was not a lack of material, it was not even an ever-increasing workload at work, rather it was more about focusing on those things closer to home and trying to stay on top of things at home and at work.

Life is an interesting ride and one that I have thought greatly about over recent months. It is about perspective and losing perspective. I find that I lose perspective a lot more now than I did in the past. I guess there are arguments to be made for an against the relativity of perspective, but for me I find that I question a lot more why I do what I do and whether I am really happy doing what I do where I am doing it. Perhaps it is not a loss of perspective but a realisation that there is more than one way to go about achieving the outcome one so desperately desires.

This is not a particularly happy post, in fact it is way too dark and morbid for the first post back but, it is what it is, what is on my mind.

I have read a lot lately about bullying and cyber bullying, particularly the trauma that our youngsters suffer at the hands of others. However, it is not only children that suffer, there are plenty of adults that suffer too. I have found myself wondering what it must be like to be at the mercy of these monsters, some who hide behind the cloak of anonymity on the internet.

Yet, some bullies are much more overt than they ever are covert as there is no fear of repercussions. The whispers as one walks down the street in a small town, the rocking of one's roof, the constant rattling of windows, the scratching of cars, the throwing of rubbish into a backyard, throwing rocks at pets, and then the name up in lights on the internet. All these things no doubt culminate in high levels of stress and thoughts of escape from the constant barrage of hate and vitriol designed to wound to the core.

It is a hardy soul that can resist for an extended period of constant psychological, physical, emotional, and mental abuse at the hands of the bullies.

There are plenty of things to read on what is a tragic and disturbing trend of people, particularly young people, opting for the ultimate "out" of suicide as a means of ending their misery. This is a worldwide tale of tragedy that knows no borders or boundaries. It is also one that is not new, Megan Meier found herself in the tragic position of seeing no other alternative than to take the ultimate action to thwart the bullies. The beauty of the internet is that it makes the world a smaller place and allows us to learn of things more quickly and to communicate more freely. However, it also allows crazed stalkers and bullies the ability to harass and harangue one no matter where you move. The recent suicide of Amanda Todd is testament to this.

I always thought that suicide was a coward's way out. When times are good it is easy to get caught up in this self-belief that you are invincible and that no matter how hard it gets that you will always be a little bit stronger than the bullies who target you. However, I am much older and wiser now; I no longer believe that it is the coward's way. To the contrary, I feel that many, if not all, of those who take that ultimate and forever final step have thought long and hard about the decision they are making and make. The reality is more likely one that says the pain that I leave behind for my loved ones will never be as bad as the pain that I must endure every single day and that will cease when I cease to be.

This is the real tragedy. Victims, whether they be younger or older, reach a point where they feel not only worthless but they also reach a place where they feel they are doing more harm than good by staying, enduring, and fighting each and every day. It is at this point victims make a judgment call that the pain they are ending is far greater than any pain that they can ever possibly leave behind.

I just cannot understand the mindset of a bully, particularly a bully who drives others to self-harm.

Suicide in Indonesia...

Suicide is a tragedy. It is not only a tragedy for those that make the ultimate choice to end it all, it is also a tragedy for those that are left behind and who must deal with the shattered lives that remain. Two things had me thinking about death and the way it is portrayed and discussed this morning: the first was an article in The Jakarta Globe and the second was seeing that "RIP Justin Bieber" was trending on Twitter (just about anything that has a Justin Bieber link trends or goes viral on Twitter, just ask Conan O'Brien. And, I am wondering whether or not "Justine Bieber: Suicide Death" within this post will result in any additional traffic to this blog post? If there is, then this might be a good thing from an awareness perspective).

This short post is an opinion piece on suicide in Indonesia.

According to The Jakarta Globe, the Ministry of Health's 'suicide hotline' has been ringing off the hook with a sharp increase in the number of calls during the first three months of operation. The hotline number for those that need it is 500-454 (although I recall Jakarta phone numbers having more digits than that...the number is correct, I checked!). The hotline was launched as part of World Mental Health Day in October 2010. Dr. Bella Patriajaya, Head of the Suharto Heerjan Mental Health Hospital, said that the reason was that more people were seeking help for their problems.

The data to-date is showing that not everyone who calls the hotline is intending to commit suicide. There are also significant numbers of people calling who are depressed or suffering other mental disorders. Even though, there is no confession of intent to kill themselves, the suicide hotline is still an excellent starting point for a sympathetic ear and perhaps some direction to services that can provide longer-term support.

Interestingly, the World Health Organization 2001 data states that the suicide rate in Indonesia is 1.6-1.8 suicides per 100,000 people. Nevertheless, a more recent study conducted by Ahmad Prayitno of Trisakti University in Jakarta supports more recent WHO data for Southeast Asia that claims that the suicide rate is closer to 24 incidents per 100,000. This is a staggering number as it would equate to about 50,000 suicides per year or 1,500 suicides per day. The reality is that even this study suspects that the actual rate and numbers are much higher.

The more recent studies are showing a trend in the reasons for suicide becoming more economic related. This includes losing a job, being demoted, or even living beyond one's means and getting into a spiral of uncontrollable debt. Nevertheless, the study also shows that more 'traditional' reasons relating to an inability to deal with emotional trauma remains a significant factor.

One of the biggest difficulties in determining exact numbers is the taboo nature of the subject. In most religions, and communities, suicide is frowned upon. Therefore, it is not uncommon that many suicides go unreported or are misreported as natural or accidental deaths.

It is important to remember that suicide is not a problem unique to one country. So, speak up and reach out! You might just save a life.

Schapelle Corby -- Depressed and Desperate?

It has been a while since I last wrote a Schapelle Corby related post. There has been no reason for this, other than not being bothered. I am planning on writing a couple (I might do them all in a row now that I am onto it). This particular post was inspired by some email I received asking me what I thought about her deteriorating mental state and whether she should be repatriated to Australia for treatment. It was also inspired by the above recent New Idea cover.

The picture, as they say, tells a thousand words. So, I won't bore you with a thousand more analyzing, but rather, I will just bore you with a few observations.

1. Why is it that New Idea has an exclusive deal with new tidbits of Schapelle Corby related information? Is there a media deal in place? Is Schapelle profiting from this exclusive deal?

2. How does this exclusive deal advance the campaign to bring Schapelle Corby home?

3. A recent report from Dr. Jonathon Phillips stated that Schapelle Corby was severely depressed, harming herself (allegedly cutting herself with a piece of glass), had regressed into a child like state, and who is not likely to survive prison. However, this picture (above) does not paint that scenario, of a desperate and depressed woman, does it?

4. In contrast, her regular doctor, Dr. Thong, has argued that Schapelle Corby is depressed and anxious. But, with medication that is taken as it is prescribed to be, Schapelle Corby can function normally and within the parameters of what is expected of a person in her situation.

5. I have argued pretty consistently that Schapelle Corby has been found guilty and exhausted her appeals, and no amount of rearguing and rehashing the evidence is likely to change this fact. The focus must now be on how to speed up the process of repatriation. I firmly believe that five years is more than enough time for the crime that she has been convicted of. However, a cover such as this one and an open letter to Australians has not seemed to endear her to the wider Australian populace. In fact, popular support seems to be running along the lines of, if you do the crime you must do the time. This is sad, sad for Schapelle Corby.

6. If part of the strategy is to generate support for the idea that Schapelle Corby has done enough time for the crime she has been convicted of, then it is time to broaden the base of appeal. It should not matter whether you think she is innocent or guilty in order to join the movement for repatriation. As long as you think she has done enough time and deserves to be repatriated, then that is enough. Unfortunately, this is not the case. It seems that in order to be a supporter you have to be a true believer in that Schapelle Corby is an innocent victim; a political porn in some geo-political game, where you must toe the single party line.

Perhaps this is why I have not written more frequently. I support the idea that Schapelle Corby has done enough time, but I cannot bring myself to ascribe to the party line. I wonder how many more people like me are out there; people wanting to help, but also turned off by the constant derision from true believers if you are not prepared to declare your support for innocence.

Sad really, very sad.

World Wide Chain Of Compassion...

Maybe it is time to spin off the posts that I have done on Schapelle Corby and her case into a blog of its own. I am intent on The RAB Experience remaining a blog on a wide and varied subject matter. However, I received this email earlier today. My visitor statistics are showing that there are lots of people passing through looking for information on Schapelle Corby and her plight.

If you feel strongly enough about wanting to help then perhaps you could start with copying and pasting the letter included on the previous post about letters to the PM of Australia, which you can find here. I have not heard of the World Wide Chain of Compassion before (but it turns up about 515 hits on a Google search).



From The World Wide Chain of Compassion

Regardless of how you, the reader of this email, currently feel about her
innocence or guilt, I ask you, please, to show compassion for Schapelle
Corby.

Jailed for 20 years, she has maintained her innocence to the crime and now,
after 5 years, has been reduced to a severe state of mental illness.

A report from eminent psychiatrist Dr Jonathon Phillips, who has just been
to Bali to assess Corby's mental condition, has been sent to the Australian
Government. It paints a shocking picture of Schapelle's state of mind. This
once fun loving, clean living young woman, has been reduced to a state of
mental illness with severe psychosis, hallucinations and suicidal
tendencies. She has already cut her arms with broken glass in an attempt to
end her life.

I believe this action was a desperate and final cry for help. Next time she
could go all the way and die in a pool of blood, somewhere in the squalor of
her prison hell.

In 2006, Schapelle wrote this:

"Right now I'm empty, lost and numb. I used to have a clear fresh sparkle
radiating within, showing through my laugh and my eyes. I never had a
problem looking in the mirror, I knew who I was, I didn't question myself.
Lately now, two years on from that fatal date and after repeated blows, I'm
finding a confusing, distant reflection in the mirror; it's dull, my eyes
don't seem to speak anymore, they're lifeless as though my soul is drying
up. Where have I gone, where am I going?"

In a letter to supporters she once said:

"Courage doesn't always roar, sometimes it's just a little voice at the end
of the day that says, 'I'll try again tomorrow'."

How many more tomorrows does Schapelle have? How much longer can she last
before she finally succumbs to the voices in her head saying, "enough is
enough?"

Is it now time for us all to say, "enough is enough?" She has suffered
enough! It's time for compassion.

David Carradine Updates...

I am following the David Carradine (photo courtesy of here) death investigation as it is developing into a really interesting case with a supposed suicide becoming a possible murder. A Thai daily has recently published a photo of the supposed death scene at the hotel.

Anyone interested in the updates that I am making can find them as postscripts to the original post.

David Carradine -- RIP

Sad news out of Bangkok, David Carradine (photo courtesy of Tony Metaxas) has died in an apparent suicide. He was 72.

He was in Bangkok shooting his latest film. Most of us will remember him as the wandering Shaolin Master in Kung Fu or as the title character in Kill Bill.

May he rest in peace.

Postscript...

It is being reported that this may not have been a suicide but rather an accident. There are suggestions that this was an auto-eroticism attempt gone wrong. Michael Hutchence was another high profile auto-eroticism victim.

Postscript II...

I have recently read that Carradine's management has raised the possibility that this was a murder. There is gossip floating around that, besides the rope around his neck that was also looped around his genitals, his hands were tied behind his back.

I guess I will just keep following the news and keep adding postscripts.

Postscript III

Here is a link to Thairath, a Thai daily (or here, or here). They have published a photo of the scene, Carradine included, which the police say looks like one of the forensic photos. The Carradine family has demanded that all publication of the image be prohibited. They have also asked for an independent autopsy, and for the FBI to become involved with respect to investigating this as a possible murder.

Postscript IV

It seems that some members of the Carradine family believe that the actor was murdered, or assassinated, by a secret Kung Fu sect that he was about to expose. I am all for a good conspiracy and this has the hallmarks of a good one. Interestingly, there are those that believe that one of the greatest proponents of martial artist to ever grace the silver screen, Bruce Lee, was also murdered / assassinated by a not so secret society known as the triads.

Despite the claims, the Thai police are still sticking to the theory that this was a sex game gone wrong. This would seem to fit into the scenario being put forward that Carradine had a history of "deviant" sexual behaviour.

Goaded Into Suicide

This is a story out of Derby in England and it is a sad indictment of the ways in which our communities are developing. Having spent about three hours in trying to talk Shaun Dykes, a 17-year-old Derby lad, down from the roof of the Westfield shopping center, the police were horrified that the young fella finally decided to end it all and jump to his death.

Even more horrifying is what went on below. The police cordoned off the area but this did not stop a crowd from gathering. What is truly disturbing is that there were people in the crowd urging the the young man to jump. It is being reported that someone yelled out, "How far can you bounce?"

Not surprisingly, the young fella jumped to his death. Then the story just gets very sad. People broke through the police cordon and starting photographing the body with their mobile cameras.

I guess this is what they mean by citizen photojournalism.

Depression is a serious illness and one that needs professional help and intervention where necessary. This kid apparently jumped to his death over a failed relationship.

Schapelle Corby Goes to the Salon

Now if the reports that have been coming in over the last couple of days are true then maybe I was right. Maybe Schapelle Corby and her family need to give some serious consideration to not taking advantage of any prisoner transfer deal that might be struck between the governments of Indonesia and Australia.

Having been admitted to hospital for severe depression, hallucinations, and weight loss, and then subsequently being put on suicide watch because her clinical diagnosis suggested that she was a danger to herself, Corby has enjoyed an afternoon at the salon. This would probably be the perfect tonic for a former beauty student.

However, it should be noted that the rumours and gossip are true then the past few days have seen Corby out and about shopping and buying ice cream with family members. The police are apparently accompanying her and the family everywhere. The point though is that if she were to be imprisoned in Australia she would be unlikely to receive such treatment unless she was on some kind of minimum security day release type program.

My guess would be that the psychiatrists (aka shrinks) that are treating her for the depression have decided that some degree of normalcy might help restore her to sufficient health that she can be incarcerated until the next bout of depression takes hold and then the whole show can start over again.

The salon visit was permitted and in an attempt to head off any criticisms the PR machine of the Sanglah Hospital has been quick to point out that the salon in question is within the grounds of the hospital and as such Corby did not leave the grounds of the hospital. The photo is of Corby emerging from the salon and is courtesy of AFP.

It seems that Corby is never that far away from the news. It is almost an industry and it is too bad that she does not get to see any of the profits from it. I understand proceeds of crime and the legislation that accompanies it. But, it is kind of bizarre that the perpetrator cannot profit off of the crime but every man, woman and child can profit off of her misery.

Nevertheless, Corby is becoming a celebrity and the recent screening of the documentary "Ganja Queen" on HBO (if I am not mistaken) in the US may cement this status. For me, and as I have posted many times before, it is about reading the Sunday morning papers after the night before, the scores remain the same. She is a convicted drug trafficker doing 20 years for the crime.

Her hospital stay appears destined to end over the next couple of days and the hospital is reporting that a treatment and medication regime has been designed. So, it will be back to the cold hard slammer that is Kerobohkan Prison and the gremlins that plague her there.

Ruslana Korshunova -- Spurned Love

A quick update on the recent suicide of a supermodel. It seems that Ruslana Korshunova was spurned by a lover or the love of her life (interpretation and emphasis mine). Kind of a Romeo and Juliet thing where it is unclear as to whether Romeo has kept his end of the bargain.

Reports are suggesting that recent posts on her social networking sites is revealing an inner torment over love and what it all means, life that is.

For me there is no woman (or for that matter a man) that is worth killing myself over. The pain of lost love is certainly painful and may seem irrecoverable at that point in time that it is lost, but it is what it is -- a mere point in time.

Life goes on and while we have it there is always the possibility that there is something better just around the corner. Maybe just a little better or maybe a lot better. But, if we pull the plug on life, then there is one thing that is certain, we will never know what might have been!

For me that is the tragedy of suicide.

Opportunity lost.

A Model Life Ends In Tragedy

It is sad when people feel that there is no options left in life that they then decide to take their own. No matter what the circumstances, suicide is always a tragedy. Mostly for those left behind and scratching their heads and trying to work out why, or what the missed, or was there a tell tale sign that went unnoticed.

Yet, when the suicide is of a 20-year old model with the world seemingly at her feet it becomes particularly baffling. And this is the case with Ruslana Korshunova who is considered to be one of the supermodels and who has apparently jumped from the 9th floor window of her apartment in the financial district of New York City.

Hailing from Almaty in Kazakhstan she was a cover girl for vogue and one of the faces of 2005 (photo courtesy of AP).

It is a sad way to end a promising life.

Schapelle Corby -- Suicide Watch

The ongoing Schapelle Corby saga has taken a much more serious and sad turn with Corby being hospitalized for depression and rapid weight loss. Prison is a stressful place I am sure but it would seem that Corby has lost the will to fight after the rejection of her latest appeal. It is easy to say, "if you do the crime, you have to do the time", but if you genuinely believe in your innocence then doing the time must seem very unfair.

The weight loss in itself does not seem to be overly serious provided it does not continue. Having lost 12 kilos in the space of a month when not dieting is a concern but aside from being a little skinny at 5'2" and 45 kilos the weight would not seem to be a physical problem yet.

However, what is probably more of a concern to her family and medical staff are reports of hallucinations and paranoia. Doctors are reporting she is not taking any drugs and the hallucinations and paranoia are the result of emotional responses and not physical ones. What is interesting to me is that Corby was prescribed anti-depressants two weeks ago but by all accounts the hallucinations and paranoia are worsening. Not only worsening but worsening to a point where she is considered a danger to herself and others. She is now on a purportedly 24-hour a day suicide watch.

A psychiatrist, Lely Setyawati, has been brought in to assist with Corby's treatment and has since recommended that Corby be hospitalized indefinitely. Indefinite hospitalization indicates that the problems that Corby has are a little more serious than just having a bad day.

All of these developments are occurring simultaneously with the airing on Channel 9 tonight of a documentary on the Corby case, Schapelle Corby: The Hidden Truth, which is supposedly going to explode the myths surrounding the case. Considering all the exposure that the case has had in the past it seems a bit of a reach to suggest that there are still lingering issues that have not been examined at some point previously.

With a bit of luck the documentary might get a screening here in Jakarta so that Channel 9 can challenge me and explode the myths surrounding the case (photo by Jason Childs / SMH).

Suicides Surge In Japan

Keeping with the suicide theme of late.

The rate of suicides in Japan has increased this year by 2.9% with 33,093 suicides being recorded. It seems that the over 60's are fueling this surge as they are increasingly becoming disillusioned with their financial and health situations. This age group also makes up the largest chunk of the suicides at more than 33% of the total.

More than 20% of the Japanese population is over 65 and it would seem that the services provided for this group are clearly inadequate. Many are citing the failing health system and the lack of financial and economic support as reasons for the decision to end it all.

The method of choice is varied but authorities are reporting a significant surge in the use of hydrogen sulfide gas to commit suicide. It seems that the chemicals needed to mix up a batch of the deadly gas are widely available.

The Japanese have the 9th highest rate of suicide in the world. In an effort to reduce the number of suicides the government is about to initiate a USD 220 million program. The bulk of this money is going to be directed to mental health and depression initiatives.

Suicide is a sad thing. I am not a shrink and do not know how successful interventions can be but clearly something must be done to address the alarming surge in suicides. This is not only true for Japan but for all countries!

Suicide -- A Follow Up

A note just in case you are wondering. The couple of recent posts on suicide is not a warning sign that I am thinking about ending it all. Morbid fascination with the idea of how someone reaches that point.

There are reports of another suicide in a small Welsh town, Bridgend, which makes this the 22nd suicide in the area in the last 18 months. The suicide of Carwyn Jones makes it 3 suicides from the same street in a matter of months.

The community is at a loss to explain the multiple suicides. Yet, explainable or not there seems to be a clear need to set up some kind of community support program to provide avenues for people to come to terms with their depression or stress.

I have family connections to Wales hence the reason I came across this sad and tragic news. I must add none of my family are from this part of Wales.

Suicide In Jakarta

This is not going to be a post that quotes a lot of facts and figures about the suicide rate in Jakarta. I do not claim to be an authority on the subject and neither have I done the research to pretend to have a claim like that. This is more a general commentary on suicide in light of a story I read in today's Kompas Newspaper (page 27).

I would imagine that if you asked most people whether they had thought of suicide or not their answers would be "no". For me this is kind of like asking men whether or not they masturbate. The answer to that question is almost universally no too. Yet, the majority of men lie on this one and I think the majority of people lie on the suicide question as well.

Thinking about suicide does not mean that you are desperate and thinking of figuratively biting the bullet and ending it all then and there. To the contrary, when I think about suicide it is almost always regarding how does one do it. I, personally, have great difficulty in the idea of ingesting something to stop me breathing or putting a shotgun in my mouth and blowing the back of my head out or getting in a car and poisoning myself with carbon monoxide.

The difficulty for me is trying to picture my life being so bad that I would rather be dead. To date I have not been able to do that. I have often thought that people who commit suicide are to a certain degree, cowards. However, as I have aged, I know longer think that suicide is necessarily the easy way out. I can not pretend to understand the pain that must precede a decision to end it all, but I think I would find myself rationalizing that pain against the pain that I would leave behind if I did kill myself.

The story that put me to thinking about this is about two students who gassed themselves at Pantai Karnaval at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol in North Jakarta. The news only relays their death and the manner in which it occurred. Unfortunately, it does not tell their stories. It does not tell us how two young adults in their early 20's reached the decision that they did. How was it that life was so bad that they no longer had the desire to live? At 21 and 22 you have your whole life ahead of you! If it is at a low point or even if it is at the lowest of low points then the only way to go is up! Life will get better.

Anyway, just some personal ramblings from someone who has seen friends choose the ultimate option and still to this day never fully understands why!

Coffee and Stress

I have found the perfect reason to drink more coffee although I am not sure whether I have to be a rat to benefit. A South Korean trial has uncovered that just the smell of coffee triggers action in a number of genes that produce proteins with anti-oxidants that are good for you. It must be pointed out that these responses were measured in rats and not humans (picture was found here).

Nevertheless, anyone who knows even a little bit about scientific testing knows that the rats get it first! The results of the trial have been published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry". The report indicates that generally just smelling coffee alleviates the stress levels of the sleep-deprived rats.

So, I am going to drink more coffee today or at least go to Starbucks, Gloria Jeans, or the Coffee Bean and buy some fresh roasted beans to sniff because I am sleep-deprived after having watched the US Open Golf. As it turns out I could have stayed asleep as Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate have to go at it again today in a playoff!

It seems like catch-22 to me as the drinking of the coffee keeps you awake and causes stress increases but the aroma of the beans reduces that stress, weird! Apparently, previously studies have shown that coffee consumption reduces depression and the risk of suicide. All this time I just thought these big coffee drinkers were just wired on the excess caffeine but in fact they were not wired but enjoying levels of reduced stress.

In any event if you want to learn more about current coffee research you should go here, The Coffee Science Information Center or CoSIC.

Fukitol -- Making Your Bad Days Good!

For those of you having a bad day this post is just for you!

As I said in an earlier post, I just spend too much time surfing the Internet rather than doing the things I should be doing at the times I should be doing them. I guess I am just a good time manager because so far all the work I have to do continues to be submitted before the set deadlines. I must admit that my work is being submitted ever-closer to the deadlines.

Anyways, if you are depressed, over-worked and under-paid, your job sucks, you're feeling unappreciated, you're in debt, or you have family problems then take a fukitol and forget about it. Live goes on! Besides a fukitol is a way better option than literally biting the bullet.

Depression, Addiction, and Suicide

Surfing the Internet as one is prone to do, perhaps this is an addiction in itself, I have done a little reading about depression and suicide. I guess this was because I have been thinking a little bit about when melancholy becomes depression? A good site for learning about depression is Beyond Blue, it is an Australian based organization and well worth a visit.

The key is recognizing the signs and getting treatment. Depression is a serious illness and the solution is not always "chin up, life's not that bad, things will get better".

I have also been thinking about when something becomes a full-blown addiction from just being regular use? When does binge drinking, for example, become anything more than a night out on the turps? Or is binge drinking already an addiction in and of itself. My interest in this stems from a recent Australian government announcement to direct funds to an initiative that is going to tackle the problem of binge drinking.

On the suicide front, I have not been thinking about taking my own life or having someone do it for me in the form of suicide by cop, but rather I have been thinking about the motivations for someone taking the ultimate step.

Sorry for the rather sombre tone of this post. Just feel that encouraging debate on these issues and bringing them into open discussion is a worthwhile endeavour.

Heath Ledger (1979 - 2008)

The Blog seems to be becoming a role call of movie reviews or death...I will need to work on that! But it would be remiss of me to let the passing of Heath Ledger pass without a Blog entry, not only because we share being Australian but because he was someone just beginning to come to terms with his fame and because this is another case of potential that will never be realized.

But aside from potential never to be realized the real loss here is for his family and in particular his daughter. Matilda at two years old may have memories of her father but how she comes to know her father will be through others and through the films that he has made in his all too short 28 years of life. That is sad. A child should always have the opportunity to know their parents, adoption aside if the parents really do not want to know their children. But most people who knew Ledger are saying that he was a doting father and this is a tragedy.

Was it suicide or an accidental drug overdose - I guess an autopsy will give us the grisly details on that. But it really does not matter. The constant grind of celebrity and the fish-bowl existence punishes all celebrities, where each and every action is open to scrutiny--I am glad I am not a celebrity!

My condolences go out to his family in their time of loss.