2020 – the year of The ‘Rona… and a lot more It seems woefully inadequate to say “what a year it’s been,” as 2020 draws to a close. I see friends in yet another lockdown in various parts of the world, lives still ending prematurely due to COVID-19, many governments still botching their handling of...
Author: Shane Pinnegar (Shane Pinnegar)
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Repurposing R U OK Day
Repurposing R U OK Day By Shane Pinnegar Whilst I welcome any effort to normalise the conversation about legitimate mental illness and depression and anxiety and all the side effects of abuse and maltreatment in our overly-paced society, R U OK Day is a bitter pill to swallow in some ways. People being people, they...
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IT’S FATHER’S DAY TOMORROW
IT’S FATHER’S DAY TOMORROW By Shane Pinnegar It’s Father’s Day tomorrow in Australia and it hurts. I haven’t seen my daughter since 11th February, 2019. I haven’t had any positive, respectful or encouraging contact with her in that time – much less a proper explanation WHY she ran away. Until tonight, I haven’t heard from...
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THE NADIR OF HEART’S CAREER – ALL I WANNA DO IS MAKE LOVE TO YOU
THE NADIR OF HEART’S CAREER – ALL I WANNA DO IS MAKE LOVE TO YOU By Shane Pinnegar No matter which era or style of Heart’s incredible career is your favourite, you’re well catered for. The 70’s gave us such mega rock anthems as Crazy On You, Magic Man and Barracuda, not to mention more...
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I Remember When I Was Young… ‘TRASH ‘90’
I Remember When I Was Young… ‘TRASH ‘90’ By Shane Pinnegar A few weeks ago – 23rd July – was the thirtieth anniversary of a particularly painful chapter of my travelling life. In 1990 my best friend Wazza and I embarked on what was to be a superb holiday in luxurious surroundings… but it didn’t...
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It was my daughter’s thirteenth birthday on the weekend
It was my daughter’s thirteenth birthday on the weekend Shane Pinnegar We haven’t seen her – or have meaningful, positive contact with her – for 16 ½ months. We sent her a birthday card, an email with the link to a YouTube playlist I made her, and a text message, but she chose not to...
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MY CORONAVIRUS GARDEN
MY CORONAVIRUS GARDEN By Shane Pinnegar When the sky fell in on us all a year ago, in March (well – it FEELS like a year), I had grand hopes not only that our society would see some lasting, positive change, but also that I would finally have oodles of free time and manage to...
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Is it RIP The Handshake?
Is it RIP The Handshake? By Shane Pinnegar I was brought up to believe that a handshake meant something: you gripped firmly, shook confidently, and looked the person in the eye. To this day if someone presents a shy, averted gaze whilst shaking, I’m suspicious. If their grip is loose, limp and flaccid, then I...
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THE 31-DAY SONG CHALLENGE – PART III of III
THE 31-DAY SONG CHALLENGE – PART III of III By Shane Pinnegar I’ve noticed a few friends doing a 28- or 30- or 31-Day Song challenge, so I decided to rise to the challenge. I’m rubbish at remembering to do such things every day, so here is the final block of ten(ish) awesome musics, complete...
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THE 31-DAY SONG CHALLENGE – PART II of III
THE 31-DAY SONG CHALLENGE – PART II of III By Shane Pinnegar I’ve noticed a few friends doing a 28- or 30- or 31-Day Song challenge, so I decided to rise to the challenge. I’m rubbish at remembering to do such things every day, so here the second (of three) block of ten(ish) awesome brain...