In the midst of the 2010 Federal election, Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry has managed to place Mental Health on the national agenda. ABC’s Four Corners “Hidden Voices” dedicated a pre-election show to highlight depression, mental health: both significant factors in suicide.

Looking at the data, whilst suicide rates are falling – the rates in males 25 to 45 is still way above the norm. And more people die by their own hand in Australia than on the roads.

During the show, I tweeted the following: I suffer from Depression. There. I said it.

For me this has been a long journey. Thanks to excellent medical care, and can function in employment and society.

So, let me highlight: If you think you suffer from depression, are feeling ‘down’ – seek help. Start with your GP. Call Lifeline or similar service now. Do not be ashamed in seeking help. You are not alone.

Whilst there is still a stigma

Being depressed, and mentally unwell is still holds a social stigma.

Whilst public acceptance is on the incline: publically stating that you suffer from depression will have a negative effect on your employability. Whether working for a large organisation or as a single contractor: people around you will treat you with suspicion. Depression can be a disability that directly effects work performance; and the career prospects of individuals.

Or as is sadly all too common: no job at all..

Whilst remaining a supporter of various Men’s mental health charities. Personal donations. Growing moustaches, I am going to leave much of my personal thoughts to myself for the time being.

I have been rather quiet of late.

Reasons:

1. Day 5 of a man-flu. Just can’t shake it quickly.
2. For the fourth time, I am taking a break from the Twitter stream. Funnily enough, life goes on without knowing everything else that is going on.
3. Thinking. There is a rather lot of things to think about, if you permit yourself to mentally wander.

Behold: my new Zip tap.

Not only hot and cold running water, we now have filtered colderer and filtered boiling (ie: hoterer) water – right at the sink.

This is my Christmas present from Avril, and the only request I had for the kitchen renos. At current costs, this should pay for itself by 2025.

Inspired by the Delicate Genius’ Year in Review 2008

Firstly, what did I say last year

from Personal and Professional Resolutions for 2008

1. The home matters
2. Weigh Less than 2008 FAIL! no change
3. Geeks Who Care matters presented at various Senior Citizen groups
4. Think simple, be social

I have really only succeeded on #1 #3 and #4. On the home front, I spent many more days not travelling and working from home.

Thinking simple, being social: fail, I think. Whilst I added 1000 twitter followers; mainly from Australia – this whole area needs more work on my part. I think.

So, what did happen in 2008? I’d like to say the theme of 2008 was black and white. No grey. Pure Black and White (yes, Neil Finn always says it best)

Other forward thinking posts:

Two posts from early 2008 have returned with a vengeance: And this early 2008 post (oh the irony): Our Benevolent Federal Government should Filter More and Australia is going to be stupider in 2008. I think I called these two issues correctly!

2008 was characterised by:

• Our family lost my Nana, Edna Dutschke.
• Other significant people from my past have also gone
• Avril and Liam went to Melbourne a few times.
• Avril totally hotted up Megan: she is almost as powerful as Scarlett. And sounds throatier.
• Avril organised and has nearly completed some needed home renovations for the kitchen and bathroom.
• The whole Hodge family becomes famous in the Sydney Morning Herald
• I have found out more about the paternal side of my family; going back over 300 years.
• Apart from what has been diagnosed as gout, been pretty functional. Oh, and I had a cyst out.
• The Geek Stories: completed 40 videos and put into hiatus for second half of 2008
• The best story from 2008: Email to the Future, where I saw original Lady Ada Lovelace documents!
• Australian ReMIX 2008: Mark Pesce, Only Connect: Mark introduces the hyperconnected world
• Designed and Built my Dream Machine, General Melchett: with three intense on10.net postings of which I am quite proud
• A postive, mid 2008 change in direction for me at Microsoft
• Spent 10 days in the US where the AU-US exchange rate was almost parity!
• Ray Ozzie: by Steven Levy: I saw Microsoft’s cloud future exposed, first hand.
• Start blogging code on http://blogs.msdn.com/nickhodge/ my first “code” post whilst at Microsoft is PHP.
• Working more with Jorkeo. He’s the hosting god.
• Oh, met and introduced Jorke to his personal hero: Larry Wall
• F#/IronPython/Threads post. My personal msdn favourite post
• Microsoft’s TechEd 2008: more behind-the-scenes organising: Women in IT, Blogger’s Lunch, Live Framework (thanks for the help, Paul!)
• Presented at AIMIA, AIBC, BarcampSydney 3 and 4, attended BarcampMelbourne (with a last minute sneaky LOLCODE presentation)
• More presentations at Edge of the Web, Open Source Developer Conference: Demos, demos, demos. No slideware!
• Adding in Presentations at various user groups, presented to about ~1600 people
• Learnt a new language (F#) enough to present at user groups and BarcampSydney 4. Thanks to SecretGeek and Joel Pobar for the prompting.
• Invested some time on the Proposed Australian Filters. I still don’t think that the proposed filters will work, and the Government is missing the point of educating all Australians over internet security.
• The Great Dan Fernandez invited me onto his weekly show “This Week on Channel 9” Apart from a good couple of hours of fun, he made me famous for 30 minutes. nearly 60,000 views of this video, alone.
• Some radio PR: on Microsoft Worldwide Telescope
• Our Windows Home Server just keeps on working. We share many more files now that the Tranquil is here. Storage capacity is 2.75 terabytes; but knowing the PCs and Laptops in the house are backed-up is priceless.
• Met Matt Bai, and assisted the Microsoft team behind-the-scenes.
• The Thing that is Twitter: 1500 followers, 8000 tweets during the year. 1000 twitter friends added.
• Over all the content I produce: over 600,000 views. Which is a darn lot for a single content producer.
• Guest blogged over at http://gizmodo.com.au for a month (June)
• Started to come over all Microformatty at the end of the year.

This is page 2 of a contract between Charles and Robert Fall of Dunbar, Scotland and the fishermen of Crail, Fife, Scotland.

Charles and Robert Fall held many interests in Dunbar in the 18th Century. They also had family connections in Fife. In an agreement signed by them on the 9th November 1745, the fishermen of Crail agreed to deliver their catch of white fish to them for a period of 6 years. This shows the final part of the contract made between the Falls and the fishermen of Crail. Here, agreement is made for the carriage of fish, notably saithe, to the Fall’s cellars, to be paid by them. At the end are the signatures or ‘marks’ of the fishermen of Crail. The most easterly of Fife’s fishing ports, Crail Harbour dates back to the 16th century. At one time the village was an important herring station. The few fishermen left today fish inshore, mainly for shellfish.

On the left hand side, just below the fold, there is the follow text: “George GH Hodge mark.” In this instance, George Hodge could not sign his name, and therefore marked with a “GH”. I am related to this George Hodge.

George Hodge was born in 1717 to George Hodge (himself born in 1686) and mother Katherin Moncrief in Crail/Fife, Scotland. He was 32 when he marked this document. His younger brother was a James Hodge, where my paternal line descends.

Crail Harbour: The harbour was ‘new foundit’ in 1610, destroyed in 1707, and what is shown here dates from the rebuild of 1728.

The fish stocks in this area started to drop in the later part of the 18th Century, and therefore there was not enough room in the family business. As the younger brother, James Hodge left the family business and slowly drifted north to St Andrews in the latter half of the 18th Century. From 1764 in Crail, 1766 in Kingsbarns (3.5km north of Crail) and 1771 in Brown Hills (just south of St Andrews). This George Hodge is also the witness to the birth of James Hodge’s first and second children: Andrew and Mary. The third child of James Hodge is a John Hodge; again from where my paternal line descends. This John’s son, Melville, emigrated to South Australia in 1853.

In the 1841 census, Mary Hodge (daughter of James Hodge, born in Kingsbarns in 1766) is listed as living in Thorgate, Crail. Based on the position in the census, it is likey she was living with the Scotts of Crail at this time.

I suspect that James travelled north either as a farm labourer, or as a hand loom linen weaver; as was his son. Kingsbarns has a noted history of both. And golfing, but I doubt my family was of the correct glass for golfing.

Note: This information was found using the http://scran.ac.uk system. Scran is:

Scran — part of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland — aims to provide educational access to digital materials representing our material culture and history. This is provided through the wholly owned trading arm Scran Ltd. We are one of the largest educational online services in the UK supporting over 4,000 schools, libraries, colleges and universities.

It is possible that my paternal ancestor, some 11 generations ago, was born in Duns. Very close to Blackadder. Maybe not the same Blackadder, but interesting in a historical sense.

Epic laughs.

Amongst the ladies with perfect early 1960s hair-dos and dresses in a series set in the mid 1940s; and the eucalypts of Southern California appear the episodes of 12 O’Clock High

And there is lots of smoking: even by the combat pilots in-flight! Maybe cigarette companies were primary sponsors of the original shows as the screened on US TV? Without a doubt, there are many young American fliers chasing after English girls in pubs and the countryside.

Many of the cut-scenes are repeated; both in air and on the ground. These were genuine WW2 gun camera footage and in combat shots.

In these stock shots you can see reversed insignia, old USAAF insignia, mixture of B-17F and B-17G types. The German planes are Hudsons rather than Heinkels, yet the interior of the B-17 seems authentic.

Robert Lansing is like a Brigadier-General Superman who commands his B-17 “Piccadilly Lily” with a constant sneer and consistent coolness. Nazis in the air, nazis on the ground and evil spies; he wins against them all. Never promoted with at least 3 crash landings and near death at least four times.

Other bits:

• Hazel Court as common love interest, “Liz”
• Tom Skerritt starred as 5 different characters in 5 different episodes. I did not realise that he was a common star of 1960s TV Shows.
• Sorrell Booke, who later played Boss Hogg in the TV version of Dukes of Hazard
• Famous screen sirens of the 1950s make an appearance in individual episodes, with many minutes of women swooning: Dana Wynter (Invasion of the Body Snatchers), Glynis Johns, Viveca Lindfors, Australian-born Victoria Shaw, Barbara Shelley
• Norman Fell: was a tail gunner during WW2
• A young Peter Fonda, with superb acting.
• Episode 109, Appointment At Liege: Innocent phrases such as “If I could commandeer a Jeep, could you play hookey for an hour and a half?” and “I don’t know. I’ve never run away with anybody before.” <long eye gazing> “you wait here”  (Future 2001: A Space Odyssey Gary Lockwood playing Major Gus Denver’s sweet lines to Nancy Kovack, playing a perfectly 1960s coiffured weather intelligence Lt Cooper)
  
  
• Sally Kellerman, to star in the later MASH movie, had a repeated role as a Nurse Lt. Typecast?
• Episode 118 Lorelei. In this spooky episode, a haunted B-17 named Lorelei returns to UK by itself and continues to cause havok. Stars Rip Torn and Bruce Dern: one of four he was in as a bombardier. Bruce Dern as Lt Michaels quotation on the Lorelei: “We gonna get together an’ buy this here airplane. And then we’re gonna get us some matches then we gonna have us a bomber bar-be-que”
• “That’s the thing with loners: they tend to be outsiders trying to get back in” (said of Keir Dullea; later to play Dave Bowman in 2001: A Space Odyssey
• In Episode 124, the future 99 from Get Smart playing Lt Betty Cumming: Barbara Feldon

Onwards to Series 2 and 3, then Combat!

Oh, I love holidays

Kitchen installed during a 13 hour marathon yesterday. Caesar stone top to come late next week; and electrical/tiling to be completed.

There be kittehs in this synth.

Yesterday, this was a wall.

Today, we are proud owners of a hole between our kitchen and lounge.

Renovations have started to pace up now. Yesterday, the bathroom was rendered. Today, the underfloor heating for the kitchen was installed by Avril and Matt. Tomorrow, kitchen tiling is completed and the new kitchen delivered. Friday is kitchen installation d-day.

In the recent research of my paternal family history, I found reference to David Melville Hodge signing the papers for an Angus Hodge. These papers were permission given by David for Angus to join the Australian Infantry in 1916 for service abroad. He was only 18 years and 2 months old.

Private Angus Hodge was my Great-Grand Uncle.

Based on my recent research into a Private Albert Lock, I knew I could find Private Angus Hodge’s service records at the National Archives. A few personal notes where an injured right leg from a horsing accident in 1912, and many teeth missing. He was also noted as “stocky” at only 5 and a half feet tall. His denomination was listed as Methodist.

Private Angus Hodge became a part of the 6th reinforcements for the South Australian 43rd Battalion, AIF. The 43rd Battalion made up the 11th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division of the AIF. Landed in the UK during the early part of 1917. (note: This Order of Battle is extremely useful and the War Diaries of the 43rd Battalion are insightful)

At this stage, Private Hodge started to have a bout of Measles and Mumps and finally arrived in France 30th July 1917. He joined the front line on 24th August 1917. Just in time for the 3rd Battle of Ypres. (also known to Australians as Passchendaele)

From this time, there were many times in hosipital listed as “NYD” and “PUO” : not yet determined and pyrexia unknown origin (ie: fever)

Then there is a note from 18th August 1918 “admitted old wounded leg, slight” back in the UK ; fracture from tibia, based on the fall from a horse some 6 years earlier. Repatriated back to the UK, Private Hodge spent time getting better at the end of the first world war.

On the 23rd November 1918, exactly 90 years ago today, the Medical Board in the UK awarded Private Angus Hodge a 20% permanent disability due to service; fit for home service.  He would have limped for the rest of his life.

Discharged from the AIF on 19th March 1919 in Adelaide. Merely a year after returning to Australia, Angus was dead.

Nearly 3 years away from home, Private Hodge served his country. The records fail to detail the mental and other injuries suffered whilst in France.

Angus Hodge died ages 22 and is buried 23rd March 1920. The gravestone states “Son of DM and FJ.” Last residence is recorded as Gulnare South Australia. Where David Melville Hodge was farming at the time.

Lest We Forget.

NB: this page will be updated as more info is found. Dots will join back to here

Inspired by recent family events, I decided to revisit my June 2006 research and go further back. The previous searches had stopped at David Melville’s grandfather: John Hodge

Thanks to Scotlands People, the official government source of births, deaths, marriages, census data and other bits and pieces: searching is easy and relatively cheap. Certainly saves travelling to Scotland and spending days in a library or archive.

My ancestors were not catholic but rather “free kirk” Presbyters, they freely recorded their details in the Old Parish Records kept since 1553 in Scotland. I am 100% of my ancestors to 1734; The movements prior to Crail in 1662 is a little more tenuous, although this was a time of much upheavel in Scotland.

Using Maps.live.com, I have created a visual map collection that details the movements of these people in Scotland.

So, this is where we are in reverse chronological order; the left hand column has the male line and birth year, with the following row their respective father. The number is the generation from Liam back (ie: Liam is zero, and I am number 1)

Avril enjoyed the de-tiling process. Sometimes, destroying inanimate objects is cathartic.

“It’s Not a Sad Time” was one of my Nana’s last wise phrases whispered to my Mum. Said more for those around her than herself, it is a canny reflection that behind the synthetic opiods her mind was active.

It is a phrase that I am pondering; as the funeral was a celebration of her achievements. I only realised how she treated everyone as special. From Dr Agarwal her final Doctor; Dean Martin one of her Aboriginal students from the mid 1970’s; to the staff at the Lutheran Homes in Glynde.

It takes a character larger than life to constantly impact the lives of so many other for 95 years.

I hold a deep and lasting respect for those in my family that dealt unselfishly with this stressful part of life. Palliative care, and the very tough decisions that are made go to the heart of why we are alive: to keep living.

In the end, remember: that who we love, and who loves us is all that matters.

Edna Dutschke (nee Elix) passed away peacefully in her sleep, and under medical care during the early hours of 14th November 2008. She was 95, and had seen much in her life. Including giving life to two sons and a daughter. Her daughter is my Mum. Edna was by Nana.

Her grandparents immigrated from what is now Germany and religious intolerance to South Australia’s Barossa Valley.

A jolly person with a cheeky sense of humour. A hard worked who never suffered fools gladly. Along with her late husband, Arnold (passed on December 1984) she taught at many Lutheran Primary Schools in South Australia.

She had a sweet tooth (a trait passed on to her grandson, but don’t tell my Mum), a love of gardening, Inspector Rex, the Port Power, her family and keeping empties under her bed (last one is a family joke)

In her final years she was quietly frustrated by her body failing her active mind. Walkers and wheelchairs aided her mobility and did little to slow her down. A keen eye was watching everyone when the hearing aid’s battery failed.

My memories of her are all pleasant. As her first grandson, I am sure I had a special place in her heart. She put up with me and passed on some lessons in life. I lived with Nana from 1985 through to 1988 at a time I completed my Matriculation (HSC) through to finding Avril. Nana was the first in my family to meet Avril and provide approval.

Her physical presence will be missed. Memories, stories and thoughts remain.

Many memories.

After nearly 10 years at this address, the bathroom and kitchen need a massive makeover.

Above is a Photosynth of the bathroom after this morning’s destruction.

Next step is the rendering prior to plumbing then tiling.

Yesterday, after an inflammation and a 6 week battle of with anti-biotics, I could finally get the beastie removed. Under the careful assistance of Avril, I had the cyst professionally removed. The size of a grape, the surgical excision took 45 minutes under local. Now I have a 4cm scar with 5 stitches. Strangely, apart from the pain of a deep skin wound; my body seems to be relieved that the nastiness has gone.

The left hand side of my body is a war zone. Scars, infections, palsies. LOL

Microsoft has a financial year that matches Australia’s financial year: July to June.

Each financial year the cards are thrown up into the air, and depending on which tarots are on top: the organisational entrails are read and the future is foretold. Or, at least that is what it seems like from deep in the trenches of “individual contributor” from “subsidiary” land (I am quoting the management-speak, just incase you think I’ve totally lost the plot)

What does that mean for me?

Thanks to an excellent manager, Anna Liu, and a very flexible organisation: I get to change my job a little.

Half what I’ve been doing: web/blogging/on10.net/videos and sundry journeyman things for DPE in Australia.

And Half Web Development Evangelism.

Which is really cool. C#, IronPython, IronRuby, Silverlight, Virtual Earth, Live Mesh et al: here I come!

Why the change?

Time to become more creative, build things. Help others build their things.

Also a change is as good as a holiday. My synapses were starting to atrophy.

In 1993 I started on the road to a Masters in Business Administration. More commonly known as an MBA.

Completed in 2002, the MBA has given me a deeper understanding to theories driving business. MBAs are designed to provide a broad understanding of how organisations work. I found the most enlightening topics related to Legal studies and Accounting. I can now read a P&L, Cashflow and Balance Sheet with confidence.

Within a year of taking a management role after completing my MBA (est cost $16,000) I had recouped my fees.

What an MBA does not provide is how to manage people.

If destined for a management role, people management where you spend most of your time. Not reading contracts, dealing with paperwork and accounting. Each of these are specializations that have strict regulatory controls and therefore organisations employ experts to fulfill the roles.

People Management cannot be left up to HR. All managers are people managers first and foremost.

I contend that People Management: keeping your team motivated, working together and productive is the hardest job.

Learn this, and you have done your MBA.

1968 is the year where the summer of love turned into the year of protest, riots and an escalation in world tension.

World events of 40 years ago seem obscure today. The fear of rising communism, increasing multiculturalism, and general chaos as a new younger generation struggled against older strictures and structures.

Some events seem similar, with names changed: US Presidents squeezed between domestic tension and international ego and guerrilla warfare stagnating into needlessly killing. The Tet Offensive, the pivotal point of the Vietnam war, was fought in 1968.

France during May of 1968 witnessed protests and riots as an authoritarian de Gaulle combated both the left wing movement, and a younger generation demanding radical change.

In the midst of this turbulent month, in this pivotal year, I was born.

Thanks Mum and Dad. I wouldn’t be dead for quids.