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Traveller divides opinion on how early you should arrive at the airport

<p dir="ltr">A plane passenger has shocked even the most organised travellers after admitting that he gets to the airport six hours before his flight departs. </p> <p dir="ltr">Self-described anxious traveller Tim Murray slammed those who have a laxed attitude to an airport arrival time, boldly stating it's their own fault if they miss their flight.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It's not my fault you're late to your flight, so if you're behind me in the security line being like: ‘I gotta get past you I'm late’ you need to manage your time better”' he declared in a short clip posted to TikTok.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I get to the airport six-and-a-half hours before my flight,” he stated, admitting his “extreme anxiety” does play a role in getting there early. </p> <p dir="ltr">“And I wanna sit here and vibe at the airport Chili's with a waitress named Debra who has the most amazing smoker's voice you've ever heard and stories that will last six-and-a-half hours,” he joked.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a comment, Tim admitted that he may have over-exaggerated the six hours, but still saying he gets to the airport several hours early. </p> <p dir="ltr">While Tim seemed smug in bragging about his early arrival, many users pointed out that there are external factors that play into people's travel plans.</p> <p dir="ltr">“People need to remember it's not always the person's fault. If my plane is late that could cause me to miss my connection, no matter how early I was. This has happened to me a few times,” one person pointed out.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Have mercy on us international flyers who need to do immigration baggage claim and run to connecting flight after our first flight was delayed,” another complained.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Dude some people are connections because their flight was late, or stuck in a long customs lines… so many other reasons than being just late,” they pointed out. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: TikTok / Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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"Laughably bad": New sculpture of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip divides opinion

<p>A newly unveiled bronze sculpture of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has received somewhat mixed reviews from the public, with many criticising the piece for looking "nothing like" them. </p> <p>The artwork was unveiled at Antrim Castle Gardens in Northern Ireland on Friday, and was commissioned by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, which said the piece  “captures Her Majesty in a dignified pose, reflecting her grace, steadfastness and lifelong dedication to public service”.</p> <p>It also depicts two of her famous corgis at her feet and her husband, Philip standing behind her with his hands behind his back. </p> <p>While the local council told CNN that the bronze statue of the Queen "has been warmly received by most who have seen it in person," many have ridiculed the statue for looking nothing like them. </p> <p>One user wrote on X that it was "laughably bad", adding: "It doesn't even look an iota like her, does it? Am I blind, or is that just nothing like the Queen? Surely they pay a fortune for these commissioned pieces - is there no requirement that there actually be a likeness?"</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">It doesn't even look an iota like her, does it? Am I blind, or is that just nothing like the Queen? Surely they pay a fortune for these commissioned pieces - is there no requirement that there actually be a likeness?</p> <p>Why is everything so shit, now?</p> <p>— Dr Dani Sulikowski (@DrDaniS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrDaniS/status/1832347891433927015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>Another user on X wrote: “It is awful...It looks nothing like the Queen or the Prince.. Terrible..Dreadful..Melt it down and start again”. </p> <p>One person commented on the council's announcement of the artwork that while it was "beautiful" the statue didn't "look like our late queen or represent how she always dressed".</p> <p>"Even the corgi is confused," another user wrote.</p> <p>“Would you know this was the late Queen if I didn't tell you?" another wrote on X. </p> <p>Following the wave of criticism, the council acknowledged that at "art can sometimes spark diverse opinions" but said that it "was particularly pleased with how the (Elizabeth) sculpture complements its surroundings, standing adjacent to the statue of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and accompanied by two lovingly crafted corgis."</p> <p><em>Images: Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council</em></p>

Art

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Nat Barr's real opinion on Matt Shirvington

<p dir="ltr"><em>Sunrise</em> presenter Natalie Barr has shared her real thoughts on her new co-host Matt Shirvington.</p> <p dir="ltr">After almost a month since former co-host <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/kochie-s-emotional-farewell-on-sunrise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Koch’s departure</a>, all eyes have been on Barr and Shirvington, who have apparently known each other for years prior to hosting <em>Sunrise</em> together.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We live in the same area, so we’d see each other in the street and say hi because we both vaguely knew who the other was,” Barr told <em>The Sydney Morning Herald</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">She revealed that years ago they would walk past each other on the street as they picked their children up from school, and had since been “in and out of each other’s lives and would see each other at events and always got along”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He’s the type of guy who just fits in – a really nice, normal guy with a daggy-dad sense of humour,” she told the publication.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barr then went on to share how she deals with public scrutiny and revealed that she doesn’t feel any extra pressure from being the more experienced presenter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t mind a bit of scrutiny. I mean, I’m on TV. Some people will like the way I do things, some won’t,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you can’t cope with that then I guess you shouldn’t be on TV.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Barr revealed that ever since she took the hosting job she made a pact with herself to not get into the comments, and so she has turned off all notifications on Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I turned the notifications off on Twitter years ago. People can DM me on Instagram but as soon as I get hate and abusive stuff, I block and delete,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You can’t stop people being nasty, that’s just what society is like,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barr said that she understands that as a public figure she can’t just take in the good comments about her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You get personal scrutiny, horrible messages and critical articles written about you,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think when you do a public job, it’s part and parcel. You can’t expect everyone to be writing glowing appraisals.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the challenges, Barr remains optimistic about her career and the future of <em>Sunrise</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think we have developed a show with the same heart and soul that we started with 21 years ago and that can never change,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There will be tweaks, people will come and go, but it’s bigger than any one of us. And that makes me happy.”</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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“It’s the court of public opinion”: Sarah Ferguson condemns Phillip Schofield backlash

<p dir="ltr">Sarah Ferguson has spoken out against the wave of judgement directed at former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield and the relationship scandal that swept the world. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 63-year-old Duchess of York was chatting to businesswoman Sarah Jane Thomson on her podcast, <em>Tea Talks</em>, when conversation turned to Schofield, and his controversial affair with a man - and co-worker - 30 years younger than him. </p> <p dir="ltr">When news of the affair broke, Schofield stepped down from his 20 year position as the face of This Morning. He later confessed to the Daily Mail that he had lied about the relationship, and <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/i-will-die-sorry-phillip-schofield-breaks-his-silence-on-his-career-ending-affair">informed <em>The Sun </em>that he was “not a groomer”</a>, despite public opinion.</p> <p dir="ltr">Criticism for the disgraced host flooded social media in the wake of the whole ordeal, with the story and its related rumours splashed across publications worldwide, and it was the backlash that Ferguson wanted to address, namely the idea of ‘cancel culture’ at the centre of it all. </p> <p dir="ltr">Thomson prompted the discussion by comparing social media’s take to a “huge game of Chinese whispers”, to which Ferguson responded that “it’s like the court of public opinion.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“And then [that can lead to] massive bullying to the point of extermination of a soul,” she added. “I don’t believe that anybody has that right to judge and exterminate a person’s own beliefs.”</p> <p dir="ltr">From there, Ferguson encouraged listeners not to leap to assumptions, as “we all have failings”. She asked that everyone instead take a moment “or make a cup of tea before you judge another human being without knowing all the facts”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We don’t know the facts,” she pointed out. “We certainly don’t know what people get up to.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Thomson had her own thoughts to share on the matter, noting that “the problem is, when you’re in the public eye, any failing you make is there to be talked about, and the rest of us don’t have that. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We don't have that deep examining of where we've gone wrong, and then it's reflected over and over and over.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And while the two had made their point, Ferguson took a moment to discuss a - in her opinion “spot on” - article by Jeremy Clarkson for the<em> Sunday Times</em>, in which he wrote about the public’s race to condemn Schofield.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve never seen a witch-hunt like it,” he said, “and what baffles me most of all is that, as things stand, no crime has been committed. I don’t know him at all well and have no skin in the game, but it seems to me he is only guilty of being what he said he was: gay.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In the article, Clarkson went on to note that the age gap between Schofield and his partner in the affair was receiving a different degree of attention to heterosexual stars in similar relationship situations - from the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, who frequently dates women significantly younger than himself, and Al Pacino’s 54-year age gap with his pregnant partner.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Phil is no longer the genial host of some morning-time televisual cappuccino froth,” Clarkson surmised. “According to the people's court of social media, he's like his brother, a nonce.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

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What Julie Bishop really thinks of King Charles

<p>Julie Bishop has shared what she really thinks of King Charles, just days after rubbing shoulders with members of the royal family at the coronation. </p> <p>The former Foreign Minister was invited to the historic event for her role as chair of the Princes Trust, as she joined Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other politicians in Westminster Abbey. </p> <p>Now, in a social media Q&amp;A for <em>Marie Claire Australia</em>, Bishop has described King Charles as an inspiration. </p> <p>The 66-year-old shared her admiration for the King, while commending his work in the royal family. </p> <p>"I admire King Charles," Bishop said in the video, adding, "I think he's been an extraordinarily focused King in waiting."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsDK7LUIo9t/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsDK7LUIo9t/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Marie Claire Australia (@marieclaireau)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Bishop made headlines from the coronation when her selfie with Lionel Ritchie went viral, as Julie <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/beauty-style/julie-bishop-tells-all-from-inside-king-charles-coronation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shared</a> what it was really like inside Westminster Abbey for the royal event. </p> <p>Bishop told 7News that she and Ritchie were making comments to each other throughout the service, as they pointed out who else was invited to the coronation. </p> <p>"During the procession, we'd be whispering to each other... I'd say that's the Papua New Guineans and he'd tell me who somebody else was."</p> <p>"But then as he was singing a hymn, I was very quiet. I didn't want to have my voice heard. That's quite an experience in itself having Lionel Ritchie singing hymns next to you."</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Julie said she felt honoured to be invited to the historic ceremony, admitting. "I have never been to anything like this."</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">"I felt deeply privileged to be invited and to witness the pageantry and the beauty and the religious and historical significance of this service was deeply moving."</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">"When you're actually there, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation."</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Readers respond: What film do you think is a cinematic masterpiece and why?

<p dir="ltr">With hundreds of new movies coming out each and every year, it takes a real standout to capture hearts and captivate minds, rising above the rest to claim the title of masterpiece. </p> <p dir="ltr">We all have those movies we pick up time and time again, placing them on a pedestal high above all others, eagerly telling anyone who’ll listen “no, this is the best one!” </p> <p dir="ltr">So, we asked our readers which ones they consider to be a cinematic masterpiece, and the variety of enthusiastic responses certainly make for quite the weekend watchlist! </p> <p dir="ltr">Here’s what they came up with:</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Nika Muir - </strong><em>Children of a lesser God</em> (1986), a credit to bring awareness to the world of deaf people. A drama/romance.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Paul Clissold -</strong> <em>2001: A Space Odyssey</em>. In my view, still the best space movie ever - minimalist approach, fitting music and superb visual effects considering the technology at the time.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Gary Sturdy - </strong><em>One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Margie Buckingham - </strong><em>The Piano</em> - beautiful, strong imagery reflecting the sentiment of the deep messaging.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Bo Whitten - </strong><em>Empress Ki </em>(Korean). Brilliant in every way! Epic historic masterpiece. Brilliant setting, costume, story line, acting, sound track.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Gail Brewer - </strong><em>Gone with the Wind</em>, back then they didn't have computer technology etc.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Evie-and Keith Brown - </strong><em>Out of Africa</em>, amazing scenery, true story, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, SO WONDERFUL, acting is superb.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Sandy Rogers -</strong> <em>Star Wars </em>- best ever, [the] whole cinema stamping their feet at the end does it for me.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Paul Davis - </strong><em>Monty Python and the Holy Grail</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Janette Blake -</strong> <em>Titanic</em>. Great movie.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Hentie Jacobs -</strong> <em>Avatar</em> … the overall using of colour and storyline is excellent … imagination at its best … there are so many more …<em> Bambi </em>also comes to mind.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Rosanna Every -</strong> <em>Ben Hur</em>! As a child, the first time I saw God!</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Beverley Murphy - </strong><em>Dances with Wolves</em>. The scenery &amp; music is magical.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Leslie Clinch -</strong> <em>Easy Rider</em> … rebellious ... but nonaggressive … striking a chord with views of the sixties … and great music from Dennis Hopper’s personal vinyl collection … plus I love <em>The Sound of Music</em> with Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews … there are so many great movies.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Peter Saunders - </strong><em>The Shawshank Redemption</em> / <em>The Green Mile</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Chris Martin -</strong> <em>Dr Shivago</em> … music, scenery, and a great love story.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Valerie Discombe -</strong> <em>Pretty Woman</em>. Because I wanted to put myself in Julia Roberts place. Richard Gere is my idol.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Sue Young - </strong><em>Yankee Doodle Dandy</em>. The tap dancing was just great &amp; James Carney was awesome!!!!</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Movies

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"Proud mum": Opinions divided after mum praises teen daughter for punching bully in the face

<p dir="ltr">Bianca Austin, wife of former soccer star Charlie Austin has divided the internet after posting a tweet praising her daughter, Mallayla, for punching a bully in the face.</p> <p dir="ltr">Last week, she tweeted: “After weeks of being bullied by the same girl, numerous phone calls to the school and nothing changing, today when being called names my daughter finally punched the bully in the face.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Proud mum,” she wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">After weeks of being bullied by the same girl, numerous phone calls to the school and nothing changing,today when being called names my daughter finally punched the bully in the face👏🏻👏🏻 proud mum👏🏻</p> <p>— Bianca Austin (@BiancaAustin90) <a href="https://twitter.com/BiancaAustin90/status/1635307000992260097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The tweet, which now has over 2 million views and 17,000 likes, generated varying responses from those who sympathise to those who believe that hitting back is unacceptable.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Probably deserved!” commented one user.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca replied: “I told the school how proud of her I was for standing up for herself when they rang up to tell me Mallayla would be sanctioned for retaliating violently. No child should be able to make school hell for another child day in day out”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We all have our breaking points and can only be pushed so far. Does she feel better now she’s stood up for herself?” commented another user.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No, but she's hoping the girl will leave her alone now. X,” Bianca tweeted in response.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca then posted a follow up tweet expressing her dissatisfaction with the school’s response.</p> <p dir="ltr">“2 days in-school exclusion for my daughter, whilst the other child has gone to class because she was 'only' verbally abusive🙃 No wonder bullying is never stopped in schools,” she wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">2 days in-school exclusion for my daughter, whilst the other child has gone to class because she was 'only' verbally abusive🙃 No wonder bullying is never stopped in schools... head high Mallayla🙏🏻</p> <p>— Bianca Austin (@BiancaAustin90) <a href="https://twitter.com/BiancaAustin90/status/1635608089754841088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I get that bullying is awful and harmful but when I said that your daughter’s actions would make things worse, you can now see where I was going,” one user wrote in response.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Bullying someone “back” by hitting is also bullying,” the user added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca went straight to the point with her response and asked them what their resolution would be.</p> <p dir="ltr">“School couldn't stop it, it was wrecking her mental health and affecting her GCSE studies. What is the right course of action here?!</p> <p dir="ltr">“Also she didn't "bully" back. Bullying is repeated behaviour,” she wrote, defending her daughter’s actions.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca also tweeted that her daughter had no malicious intent and only did it because she wanted to “be left alone to quietly enjoy school”.</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

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"Fiddle is good anywhere": Impromptu inflight concert divides opinion

<p>A debate has erupted over what’s considered appropriate when flying - but this time, it has nothing to do with reclining seats or overhead bins. </p> <p>On a flight from Dublin to New York’s JFK airport - a trip typically just shy of eight hours long - a live and impromptu fiddle music session has taken place, a handful of days before St Patrick’s Day. </p> <p>In a clip that has taken Twitter by storm, a woman can be seen - and heard - playing a lively jig on the fiddle, with accompaniment from both a man on an accordion and one with a whistle. They are surrounded by their fellow passengers, many who appear to be lined up trying to leave the plane. </p> <p>“Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to JFK yesterday,” Adam Singer captioned the video. “I mean, I understand it's done from a good place, but also feel like you don't play music (or much worse, sing) in an enclosed space there's no escape from.” </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to JFK yesterday. I mean, I understand it's done from a good place, but also feel like you don't play music (or much worse, sing) in an enclosed space there's no escape from <a href="https://t.co/UlqmHAqj03">pic.twitter.com/UlqmHAqj03</a></p> <p>— Adam Singer (@AdamSinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSinger/status/1634930242371592192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>While many commented to say that it had been a bit of fun, and good music no less, the original poster - and swarms of others - didn’t have the patience to humour them. </p> <p>“Nah, that music was totally cool. And it looks like people were deplaning. Not like it was during the flight,” reasoned one. </p> <p>“My nightmare,” vented another. “Not because they're bad but, as you say, there's no escape. I'm not sure what it is about musicians that make them feel like they can just crank a tune out when no-one asked.”</p> <p>“This would be a nightmare for me,” came another agreement that was echoed from there in at least a dozen like-minded comments. </p> <p>“'Fiddle is good anywhere,” someone else argued. “But it may be my roots. This kind of music makes ya happy.”</p> <p>“So beautiful. That's what humanity is all about if you ask me,” one commenter said. </p> <p>Adam, who wasn’t about to budge on his hard fiddle stance, fired back “sure, just not on a plane!”</p> <p>When another suggested that it sounded like a good time to them, Adam responded with a gif reading “is it though?” and left it at that. </p> <p>“Depends on how long it lasts and how good they are,” mused one viewer. “If they're good, they get 5-7 minutes. If they're not, 90 seconds tops.”</p> <p>Meanwhile, one fan of the fun wrote that “this fulfils every fantasy I have about travelling to Ireland. I love it.”</p> <p>“I've been on thousands of flights and never had anything this awesome happen,” said another, “obviously I've never flown Aer Lingus.”</p> <p>“I love traditional Irish music, but I can understand how it might bother others,” someone allowed.</p> <p>The one thing most of them could agree on? They’d be okay with it, as long as “there’s free Guinness flowing.”</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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British lawmakers demand Jeremy Clarkson apologise to Meghan Markle

<p dir="ltr">British lawmakers have come out swinging against Jeremy Clarkson following his “violent misogynist” opinion piece about Meghan Markle.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Top Gear host wrote a scathing piece in The Sun saying how much he "hates" the Duchess of Sussex, in the wake of the release of the Prince Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary series.</p> <p dir="ltr">The piece, which received 17,500 complaints, was retracted with 65 British lawmakers from various political parties condemning the article and demanding an apology to Ms Markle.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We welcome The Sun's retraction of the article, we now demand action is taken against Mr Clarkson and an unreserved apology is issued to Ms Markle immediately," the letter read, which was led by Caroline Nokes, a Member of Parliament from the ruling Conservative party, and chair of Parliament's Women and Equalities Committee.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We further demand definitive action is taken to ensure no article like this is ever published again.</p> <p dir="ltr">"This sort of language has no place in our country, and it is unacceptable that it was allowed to be published in a mainstream newspaper.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Ms Markle has faced multiple credible threats to her life, requiring the intervention of the Metropolitan Police.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hateful articles like the one written by Mr Clarkson do not exist in a vacuum and directly contribute to this unacceptable climate of hatred and violence."</p> <p dir="ltr">It follows 17,500 complaints sent to the UK's press regulator the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) for the article published in Rupert Murdoch’s rag.</p> <p dir="ltr">Clarkson was met with significant backlash and tweeted his “regret” over the column, which also saw his <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/jeremy-clarkson-s-daughter-takes-a-stand-against-her-famous-dad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">daughter Emily call him out</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Oh dear. I've rather put my foot in it. In a column I wrote about Meghan, I made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones and this has gone down badly with a great many people," he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future."</p> <p dir="ltr">The Sun also just mentioned they have removed the article but refused to make any further comment.</p> <p dir="ltr">"In light of Jeremy Clarkson's tweet he has asked us to take last week's column down,” their statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Legal

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Opinions divided over fresh Dr Charlie Teo claims

<p dir="ltr">Neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo has once again been on the receiving end of harsh claims from past patients in a brutal expose by <em>60 Minutes</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The renowned brain surgeon has made headlines multiple times in the past for his achievements – such as when he flew from Perth to Sydney to perform a lifesaving operation on then 14-year-old Amelia “Milli” Lucas after she raised $170,000.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Dr Teo has continued to face backlash, with some families who’ve dealt with the surgeon criticising him for the high price of his services.</p> <p dir="ltr">Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes program interviewed several of Dr Teo’s past patients, one of whom spoke about the "false hope" given to his family when dealing with the surgeon.</p> <p dir="ltr">Michelle Smith was only 19 when Dr Teo operated on her to remove a brain tumour that was causing her severe epileptic episodes.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Smith and her mother told the program that Dr Teo claimed that the removal of the tumour would be “easy” and after the operation “everything is great”. The program went on to state that Dr Teo soon told Ms Smith that she was able to stop taking her epilepsy medication but as the years went on she experienced worse seizures.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The seizures got worse…I lost my employment, I’d had a few jobs here and there,” Ms Smith said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I had a seizure behind the wheel and hit two parked cars, writing off three cars.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/michelle24.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr">Later in 2014, Ms Smith had another scan for her brain, after which other doctors claimed that Dr Teo had operated on the wrong side.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The previous operation was done on the wrong side of the brain and that’s why the normal brain tissue was removed, it was nowhere near the tumour,” Ms Smith continued on the program. “To find out that he didn’t even touch it, I just felt violated in a way. I trusted him.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Dr Teo defended himself saying that he “never, ever” operated on the wrong side of the brain and that the approach he used was well documented to reduce the risk. “Ms Smith awoke in excellent neurological condition and was seizure free at her post-op visit,” he said.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A decade after going under the knife of Dr Charlie Teo to remove a brain tumour, Michelle Smith made a horrific discovery; the neurosurgeon had actually operated on the wrong side of her brain. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/60Mins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#60Mins</a> <a href="https://t.co/YnBCqhCDfz">pic.twitter.com/YnBCqhCDfz</a></p> <p>— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) <a href="https://twitter.com/60Mins/status/1584118918276608000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">A colleague of Dr Teo's, Dr Michael Donnellan, backed up Teo's claim, telling the <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/neurosurgeon-charlie-teo-says-claims-have-been-a-slur-on-his-character/news-story/bcd505006874929187ca31d406421a00" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a> that "there is a big difference ­between a wrong side surgery, versus a contralateral approach — or ­approach from the opposite side — to a tumour that is close to the midline of the brain.... This is a well recognised and reasonable approach,” he said, adding he had seen Dr Teo choose that method multiple times with good results.</p> <p dir="ltr">This, however, did not stop Ms Smith from suing Dr Teo in 2019 for professional negligence. The case was settled out of court.</p> <p dir="ltr">Another of Dr Teo’s patients examined by the 60 Minutes program was Prasanta Barman’s young son Mikolaj who was diagnosed with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) - a difficult brain tumour to treat.</p> <p dir="ltr">The family sought the help of Dr Teo who they say informed them that there was a “very high likelihood of (a) cure”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If all goes as planned, the surgery should be curative, as we should be able to remove the entire thing. This means that prognosis would be excellent,” Dr Teo’s office said in an email in 2018.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, two other neurosurgeons informed Mr Barman that his son’s tumour was inoperable.</p> <p dir="ltr">This led Mr Barman to once again ask Dr Teo about his stance and his response remained unchanged and that he would operate.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Barman paid Dr Teo the $80,000 required for the operation and 30 minutes before the operation he said that he might not be able to remove the entire tumour.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/mikolaj.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr">After surgery, young Mikolaj was bedridden and unable to walk, talk or eat on his own. He died less than a year later.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There was no hope. For a DIPG, there is no hope. So why give the false hope in the first place?” Mr Barman asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dr Teo has defended himself against these claims, explaining that there are some good and bad outcomes no matter the situation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Once you start exploring and looking for advancements, you are going to get some bad outcomes, some terrible outcomes, which I have had,” he told <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/desperate-parents-heap-praise-on-lifesaving-neurosurgeon-charlie-teo/news-story/db2c86a0aae339a9f2a23b5dfa7cf530" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You are also going to have patients that do very well, that get more months or years on their lives and get to enjoy life.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook/60 Minutes</em></p>

Caring

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A photo of a woman’s rude plane etiquette divides opinions

<p dir="ltr">A passenger has been slammed by a fellow traveller for blocking their plane seats' TV screen during a flight. However, not everyone was on their side.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man explained that the woman in front had covered their screen with their coat while sitting in extra leg room seats. Sharing a picture on Reddit, he wrote: “I guess no entertainment for my wife on this flight.”</p> <p dir="ltr">A large black coat was put over the back of the seat, covering nearly all of his wife’s screen. Lots of people shared they were just as annoyed as him. </p> <p dir="ltr">Someone said, “Blows my mind how someone can do that, while realising they have a TV/touchscreen in front of them and not think about the TV that’s on the back of their own seat.”</p> <p dir="ltr">But not everyone agreed here and said the man should have just asked to move it.</p> <p dir="ltr">Someone commented: “I’m sure she put her jacket on the seat without really realising it would block the TV. All you have to do is kindly ask her to move it and she will.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-caed8dec-7fff-8007-f576-cf5954c57618"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">One person explained how they had a similar situation except the passenger refused to move it - but then they received a free upgrade. Win win!</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Reddit</em></p>

Travel Tips

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OPINION: Why we need to change how we’re talking about the Oscars slap

<p dir="ltr">On Monday, Hollywood actor Will Smith made international headlines when he stormed the Oscars stage and <a href="https://o60.me/2qZnuq">slapped comedian and presenter Chris Rock</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr">What prompted the outrage? Chris Rock making a joke about Will’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her buzzed haircut. </p> <p dir="ltr">As Chris took to the stage to present the Best Documentary award, he bantered with the crowd saying, "Jada, I love you. <em>GI Jane 2</em> — can't wait to see it, alright."</p> <p dir="ltr">It was then that Will stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock, before returning to his seat and bellowing, “Keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth." </p> <p dir="ltr">In true Hollywood fashion, the moment was swiftly moved on from, with no immediate ramifications for the actor. </p> <p dir="ltr">Not an hour later, Will Smith went on to win the award for Best Lead Actor, where in his tearful speech, he attempted to condone his own actions as being driven by protection. </p> <p dir="ltr">"In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world," he said. "I'm being called on in my life to love people and to protect people ... and to be a river to my people."</p> <p dir="ltr">As he went on to apologise to the Academy and his fellow nominees for his outburst, he noticeably failed to apologise to Chris Rock (a matter which he has since <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/an-embarrassment-ben-fordham-weighs-in-on-will-smith-drama">recifited in an Instagram statement</a>).</p> <p dir="ltr">His emotional speech earned him a standing ovation from Hollywood’s biggest stars in LA’s Dolby Theatre, as he went on to say, “Love will make you do crazy things.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Following the incident, online spaces were justifiably dominated by discussions about who was in the right, and if you were team Chris or team Will. </p> <p dir="ltr">This kind of discourse has since led to conversations about violence and ableism, which rightfully turns the incident into something far more serious. </p> <p dir="ltr">The question of whether or not you disagree with Chris Rock’s joke is completely irrelevant when looking at the bigger picture. </p> <p dir="ltr">What we saw at that event was a now Oscar-winning actor being given a standing ovation after he took to a global stage that was being broadcast to millions of people – after he assaulted someone. </p> <p dir="ltr">Will Smith walked on that stage and assaulted Chris Rock, while no one did anything. </p> <p dir="ltr">In a room full of the Hollywood elite, no one had the guts to stand up and condemn his actions, regardless of whether he was destined to win a later award or not. </p> <p dir="ltr">The event was brushed over while everyone in the room fell quiet and decided to ignore what they had just witnessed, much like other instances of violence in Hollywood. </p> <p dir="ltr">People often wonder how sexual abuse at the hands of people like Harvey Weinstein went unnoticed, or ignored, for so many years before the spark of the #MeToo movement in 2006. </p> <p dir="ltr">The abuse that we witnessed at the Oscars is the foundation of that very movement. </p> <p dir="ltr">And while, yes, systemic sexual abuse is different to Will Smith’s actions, covering up any kind of abuse is all the same. </p> <p dir="ltr">Being complacent and choosing not to stand up for what is right is how abusers are permitted to continue their dangerous patterns. </p> <p dir="ltr">In Will’s speech, he said, “Love will make you do crazy things.”</p> <p dir="ltr">This kind of speech and justification is the exact same kind of rhetoric that victims hear at the hands of domestic abusers. </p> <p dir="ltr">He flouted his actions as those of a “protector of his family”, which is another rationalisation of abuse that should not be accepted. </p> <p dir="ltr">There were a thousand other ways this situation could’ve been handled without it escalating to violence. </p> <p dir="ltr">Will could’ve found Chris at the after party and explained to him why his joke wasn’t cool, or he could’ve clapped back at him on stage with an even more brutal roast, or he could’ve done literally anything other than what he did. </p> <p dir="ltr">Whether he was annoyed at the joke or not, assaulting someone who was just up there to do his job is not how you handle a situation, regardless of if you felt you were “defending” someone’s honour. </p> <p dir="ltr">The joke in question has left a lot of people divided, with many jumping to Will and Jada’s defence. </p> <p dir="ltr">As the joke in question targeted her shaved head (a result of her alopecia diagnosis), it’s worth taking a look at the history of bald jokes and the blatant double standard in the scenario. </p> <p dir="ltr">For decades, slapstick comedy has relied on making a bald joke to get a quick laugh. </p> <p dir="ltr">Nine times out of ten, these jokes are at the expense of men. </p> <p dir="ltr">The most notable example comes from Will Smith’s own show <em>The Fresh Prince of Bel Air</em>, which constantly relied on the character of Uncle Phil, a heavy set balding black man, to be the butt of all jokes (and there were a LOT of them).</p> <p dir="ltr">So for Will Smith to have his most famous character constantly be telling bald jokes with no ramifications is just plain hypocrisy.</p> <p dir="ltr">And if bald jokes are okay to make for men, then they are not off limits for women either, because you have to be consistent in your prejudices. </p> <p dir="ltr">Regardless of the joke, or the aftermath, or the apologies, or the sappy speeches, we cannot deny that what we all witnessed on the Oscars stage was completely unacceptable. </p> <p dir="ltr">And the fact that the room full of influential people chose to do nothing only further perpetuates the fact that rules are different for the rich and famous. </p> <p dir="ltr">The fact that Will Smith just sat back in his chair after assaulting a man on live international television only cements the fact that if you have enough money, fame and power, you can seemingly get away with just about anything.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Mind

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Mum’s unconventional hack divides opinion

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new mum’s unconventional solution for her baby’s acne has divided the internet, due to the presence of one unconventional ingredient.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Linh Ta took to TikTok to share her hack, filming herself placing a face mask sheet in a bowl of liquid before applying it to her son Levi’s face.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the clip, Linh Ta reveals the bowl contains liquid gold, telling followers that she uses breast milk to soothe her son’s skin.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When your baby has acne so you make a breast milk mask for him,” she captioned the clip.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Baby Levi can be seen sleeping peacefully as she puts the mask on him, which she leaves on to help his skin absorb the milk.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the comments, Linh Ta explained she made the mask “purely out of boredom” and “just to have a little fun”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m a first mum so I’m learning things as I go,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The video, which has been viewed more than four million times so far, has divided other users on the platform. Some were fans, while others were less enthusiastic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Sooo cute! But the acne will pass. It’s just your hormones leaving their body. It’s not like our acne,” one fan explained.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Um my heart is screaming, this is too cute. Not me going to cut up a dry wipe and do this on my nine-week-old,” another agreed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This just rubs me the wrong way,” one user argued.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Mini serial killer mask,” another added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a follow-up video, Linh Ta shows Levi’s clear face in response to a fan asking for before and after photos.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 277.1285475792988px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842560/placeholder_8729e81ef4f4d57_0.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8df990dcc851409d956f9a785ee96c14" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They were red and raised before and now the redness has subsided,” she said in the update.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though there is </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/baby-acne-breast-milk#breast-milk" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">no scientific evidence</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> supporting the use of breast milk to treat baby acne, some people swear by the remedy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since breast milk has antimicrobial properties, the breast milk may help reduce or destroy bacteria and other impurities that block the baby’s pores and cause acne.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, research from the </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1108&amp;context=sn_pubs" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">International Journal of Childbirth</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> recommends simply keeping the baby’s skin clean with soap and water and avoiding oils or lotions that could worsen the acne.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: Tiktok</span></em></p>

Body

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“That’s your opinion”: Novak Djokovic shuts down journalist

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Novak Djokovic has reached the Wimbledon semi-finals for the tenth time before facing a journalist who asked him what it felt like to be the “bad guy” of the sport.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Djokovic defeated Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 6-3 6-4 6-4 and will face Canadian Denis Shapovalov on Friday for a spot in Sunday’s final.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If he secures his sixth title, Djokovic will join Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in having won 20 major titles.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In his post-match press conference, a journalist asked: “what has it been like to be something of the ‘bad guy’ chasing after Roger and Rafa all these years?”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I don’t consider myself a bad guy. I mean, that’s your opinion,” Djokovic replied.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m not chasing anybody. I’m making my own path and my own journey, my own history. I’m privileged to be part of history of this sport I love.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As I said on the court, I know about a lot of stats. I don’t know about all of them. But they do motivate me even more to play my best tennis at the events that count the most in our sport.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The question was also criticised by other journalists, including tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg, who called it “one of [the] worst opening questions I’ve ever heard in a press conference”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There has to be a way - without compromising access - that this system is improved,” journalist and presenter Jon Wertheim tweeted in response to Rothenberg’s criticism.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is the problem. It poisons the atmosphere for everyone, including the majority of journalists who are professionals.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Djokovic became the third man to win all four majors more than once following his second French Open victory last month.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I love this sport with all my heart, body and soul and have been devoted to it since I was four,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Sometimes things do look surreal for me but I try to live in the moment and take every opportunity I have on the court.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Going for history is a huge inspiration for me, let’s keep it going.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Novak Djokovic / Instagram</span></em></p>

International Travel

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How much can I spend on my home renovation? A personal finance expert explains

<p>Home renovation has long been something of a national sport for many Australians, but community demand for home fix-ups has reached fever pitch since the pandemic.</p> <p>If you’re lucky enough to own a house — and able to afford a renovation — chances are you’ve found yourself wishing for a better work-from-home area. Or perhaps you’ve thought, “If I can’t travel and am to spend all this time at home, I may as well make it more pleasant around here.”</p> <p>Add to that the HomeBuilder grant and you get a market where builders are in <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-25/building-delays-homebuilder-supply-shortage/100026876">high demand</a>, <a href="https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/$52b-cash-inflow-expected-in-home-renovation-2021">architects</a> are run off their feet and the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-25/building-delays-homebuilder-supply-shortage/100026876">cost</a> of renovating is going up.</p> <p>How, then, to decide how much you can afford to spend?</p> <p>There are no easy answers, and a lot depends on property market conditions where you live, how much financial risk you’re willing to tolerate and how much you’re prepared to forgo luxuries in other parts of life.</p> <p>But as an ex-financial counsellor and former consumer credit educator for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), here are the questions I’d encourage you to ask yourself to help you decide how much to spend.</p> <p><strong>How much extra would it cost me each month, even if interest rates went up?</strong></p> <p>Start with thinking what you want to do and getting a good idea of how much it’s going to cost. Then, factor in <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/living/costly-mistakes-will-blow-renovation-budget/">extra</a> for unexpected surprises along the way.</p> <p>Once you have a rough idea of how much you want to borrow to fund your renovation, plug it into a loan calculator with your current lender or on the <a href="https://moneysmart.gov.au/home-loans/mortgage-calculator">MoneySmart website</a>. Add on a couple of percentage points to account for the assumption interest rates might not stay at current historic lows.</p> <p>It’s a good idea to see if you could afford the monthly repayments even if mortgage interest rates increase quite a bit in years to come.</p> <p><strong>Can I drive down other household costs?</strong></p> <p>At this point — although this is a good thing to do at any time — look for ways to reduce household costs.</p> <p>Are you getting the best possible interest rate from your lender? If you are on a variable rate, you can tell them, “I am thinking of borrowing more but I notice the rate you have on my loan on is higher than others are offering.” Often they will knock something off your interest rate straight away. If you are on a fixed rate, you could change to another lender but remember to account for break fees.</p> <p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/399919/original/file-20210511-16-6clnn1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/399919/original/file-20210511-16-6clnn1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /></a> <span class="caption">Ask yourself: what expenses are coming up in the next few years?</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></p> <p>Can you reduce other costs by getting a better deal on car insurance, health insurance, phone and electricity bills? Often you can get better prices just by calling your providers and pointing out their competitors have a better deal.</p> <p><strong>Think about your upcoming spending and income</strong></p> <p>What expenses are coming up in the next few years? Will you likely need a replacement car soon? Are schooling costs or childcare fees on the horizon? If you went all in on a renovation and could no longer afford holidays, nights out, entertainment spending — would you be comfortable with that?</p> <p>Think also about income. If someone in the household couldn’t work due to illness, or wanted to or had to work part-time, how would that affect monthly payments?</p> <p>If something goes wrong or you have an unexpected medical cost, could you afford it even with the extra debt that comes with the renovation?</p> <p>As yourself: if there was a drop in my income or a wage freeze, could I sustain payments to the mortgage?</p> <p><strong>What's the return on investment?</strong></p> <p>This is where the sheer craziness of the Australian real estate market comes into play. Even very conservative financial commentators like me are forced to admit that the property market shows no sign of slowing or stalling. It’s quite likely a renovation would drive up the resale value of your house but unfortunately there’s no easy way to find out by how much.</p> <p>Much depends on where you live. If you are in a regional area where prices have not grown as stratospherically, you might need to plan for a more moderate growth in the value of your house.</p> <p>If you are fortunate enough to have property in a major capital city, your house value is likely to appreciate even if you don’t renovate. So if your only concern is increasing the resale value, the market may take care of that anyway without the stress of renovation.</p> <p>There is still a shortage of property in Australia and demand wasn’t even particularly dented by the pandemic.</p> <p>But past performance isn’t always a reliable predictor of future outcomes. So you need to think about how you’d manage if there was a big shock to the economy or to your household.</p> <p><strong>Plan for shocks</strong></p> <p>Ask yourself: how likely is it that I lose my job? If I did, could I reliably get another? How long could I maintain payments if I was unemployed?</p> <p>Think carefully about job trends in your industry and what you’d do if, years from now, you were made redundant.</p> <p>There are no easy answers on this one. Each person has to make a judgement call about how well they can tolerate risk.</p> <p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/399920/original/file-20210511-22-1yo8uou.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/399920/original/file-20210511-22-1yo8uou.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /></a> <span class="caption">Are you getting the best possible interest rate from your lender? Phone them and ask for a lower rate.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></p> <p><strong><span class="attribution"><span class="source">Decide what matters to you</span></span></strong></p> <p>Ultimately, it’s up to each person to decide what life you want to have over the next decade or more.</p> <p>It’s all well and good having an improved home but if you can’t afford to travel anywhere or ever have a night out again, you need to factor that in.</p> <p>If you can afford to see an independent financial adviser, it is not a bad idea before you launch into a big financial decision. You could also consider seeing a free financial counsellor who is independent of any lenders. They can be contacted on 1800 007 007 or through the <a href="https://ndh.org.au/">National Debt Helpline</a>.</p> <p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gregory-mowle-296811">Gregory Mowle</a>, Lecturer in Finance, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a></em></span></p> <p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-much-can-i-spend-on-my-home-renovation-a-personal-finance-expert-explains-160696">original article</a>.</p>

Retirement Income

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Magda Szubanski speaks out after Twitter fury: “Should I stop having an opinion?”

<p><span>TV star Magda Szubanski has spoken out after being scolded publicly online for her comments about the Prime Minister's wife, Jenny Morrison.</span><br /><br /><span>Szubanski shared a photo on social media of Mrs Morrison standing near her husband, Scott Morrison, while he signed a condolence book for Prince Philip following the royal's death.</span><br /><br /><span>The TV star was accused of suggesting Mrs Morrison was subservient to her husband in the tweets.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840737/magda-szubanksi-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/415a233fd1ed4f34b39ebd1c4b9f11d9" /></p> <p><em>Image: Screengrab from A Current Affair</em><br /><br /><span>However, Szubanski informed <em>A Current Affair</em> host Tracy Grimshaw that her comments were not a "tirade".</span><br /><br /><span>She also went on to say that her main point in her tweets was that the photos were bad PR.</span><br /><br /><span>"Why would you put something that looks like The Handmaid's Tale out as a photo op?" Szubanski said.</span><br /><br /><span>"Look, I don't want to hurt her (Mrs Morrison), of course I don't. I do think that if she's going to be in public life, we need to know more about her.</span><br /><br /><span>"If she's going to have some sort of influence in public life I want to know, what are her values? What kind of a woman is she?"</span><br /><br /><span>Szubanski went on to say it was only fair Australians know more about Mr Morrison’s wife, considering how often she is brought up by the Prime Minister.</span><br /><br /><span>She also said the “wacko” picture had not just been questioned by her.</span><br /><br /><span>"I think doing a media pile-on about someone's appearance is not something that I would condone," Szubanski said.</span><br /><br /><span>"When I first looked at it did not realise that it was Jenny Morrison because it looks very different from her, she's normally got her hair done, makeup, the whole sort of thing.</span><br /><br /><span>"I genuinely thought it was a meme, so I was a bit staggered that I got drawn into this over such a nothing observation that thousands of people had already made."</span><br /><br /><span>In one of her retweets of the picture she said "I genuinely thought this was a photoshopped Handmaid's Tale meme. But no. It's 21st century Aussie life".</span><br /><br /><span>Szubanski took to Twitter not long after to say: </span><span>"Let me be clear… I'm not actually making a disparaging comment about Jenny. I just genuinely thought it was a meme!"</span><br /><br /><span>However, they’re not the only tweets the star has copped a lashing for.</span><br /><br /><span>In another photo of the Morrison family with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Szubanski commented on Twitter, "what's this little hand signal thingy?"</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840736/magda-szubanksi-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e014e8f8d70647eeb8598632393e5a1e" /></p> <p><em>Image: Screengrab from A Current Affair</em><br /><br /><span>She was referring to the way Mrs Morrison's hand was resting.</span><br /><br /><span>The comedian admitted that the tweet was probably "silly", but said the reaction was likely a distraction.</span><br /><br /><span>"The fact that it turned into this big issue is no doubt in my mind partly to distract from the fact that Christine Holgate was making her testimony, so it was a little bit of 'oh don't look at this because there's something going on here'," the comedian said.</span><br /><br /><span>The <em>Kath and Kim</em> star says she won’t stop airing her opinions on Twitter.</span><br /><br /><span>"I'm not there just to make nice comments all the time, there are things that I think need to be addressed," Szubanski said.</span><br /><br /><span>"Should I get off Twitter? Should I stop having an opinion? Well that is democracy. Do I like it when people pile on me? No, I don't, but I also go 'well that's what they do'."</span></p>

TV

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“Did not deserve to win”: Turnbull writes scathing opinion about ScoMo

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has made his feelings about current Prime Minister crystal clear in his new memoir<span> </span><em>A Bigger Picture</em>. Turnbull doesn’t believe that the Morrison-led coalition deserved to win in the miracle 2019 election and criticised Morrison’s bid to portray himself as a “daggy dad” from the suburbs.</p> <p>"He's a professional politician who understands marketing and messaging better than most," Mr Turnbull writes in his memoir, A Bigger Picture,<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/inside-malcolm-turnbulls-bigpicture-world-of-gossip-and-axegrinding-in-new-memoir/news-story/3406c7890aab3e578dedc0cb8861f3b4" target="_blank">The Australian</a></em><span> </span>reports.</p> <p>"His cringe-worthy 'daggy dad' persona is more exaggerated than it is conflated, but in net terms it probably helped.</p> <p>""All that aside, however, the truth is that Labor lost the election that the coalition, after the August coup, did not deserve to win."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6AmqPZnLvQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6AmqPZnLvQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Scott Morrison (@scottmorrisonmp)</a> on Dec 13, 2019 at 2:34am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Turnbull also took aim at his former cabinet colleagues in their roles in the coup that led to his resignation in August 2018.</p> <p>Turnbull accuses Morrison of double dealing in his bid to succeed Turnbull when he had to be “propped up” as treasurer.</p> <p>Turnbull also says that Peter Dutton, a coup leader, was a “narcissist” and “self-delusional” for thinking that he could be prime minister.</p> <p>The memoir will be launched next Monday.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"><span class="like-bar-component"></span> <div class="watched-bookmark-container"></div> </div> </div> </div>

News

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How to build your confidence

<p>Take a moment to consider what might be getting in the way of your confidence: what is it that might be stopping you becoming a more confident person? A bit of reflection can help you work this out.</p> <p><strong>Inner critic</strong></p> <p>Often what stops you can be as simple as that internal, self-critical voice, the one in your head that constantly judges and snipes at you, undermining your confidence. This voice is seldom rooted in reality – how do you know, really, what that stranger in the train carriage thinks of you?</p> <p>Challenge it. That critical voice is sapping your confidence. Question it. What actual evidence do you have for what it’s telling you? In reality, you can have no real idea of what another person thinks, and the look on their face probably has nothing to do with you but comes from their own thoughts, anxieties and preoccupations. Why should you care, anyway? Counter your inner critic with more positive affirmations – those that are as accepting, tolerant and loving of yourself as you would like to be of those around you.</p> <p><strong>Self-sabotage</strong></p> <p>This can be a feature of our inner critic. Sometimes, when we are unconfident about something, we unconsciously do things that either stop us trying, or prove ourselves right. We set ourselves up to fail, and then tell ourselves, ‘There, I was right, I knew it was impossible.’ Self-sabotage is an unhelpful strategy because, ultimately, it prevents you from doing things that could be successful and might help enhance your confidence about future efforts.</p> <p><strong>Imposter syndrome</strong></p> <p>This is akin to self-sabotage, but very different from faking it (see page 73) because it stems from a lack of self-belief. You imagine that you will be somehow found out as an imposter, not really capable of what you say you can do – even though you’re doing it! This comes from an insecure place within and sometimes happens when we’ve made a recent step in progress but our confidence in our ability to do so has not kept pace. Instead of thinking what’s been achieved is good, it’s undermined by the suspicion that we’ll somehow get found out. This is also a voice that the inner critic sometimes uses: identify it for what it is, then ignore it.</p> <p><strong>Catastrophising</strong></p> <p>Imagining the worst might feel like making good preparation for an unforeseen event, but there’s a difference between doing a reasonable risk assessment – It looks like rain, I’ll take an umbrella – and assuming that something cataclysmic could happen. This just creates unnecessary anxiety, which, in turn, saps confidence.</p> <p>Imagining a catastrophe around every corner can sometimes come from a place of somewhat bizarre logic or magical thinking where, at a subconscious level, we convince ourselves that by imagining the worst, the imagining of it somehow stops the worst from happening. We even have evidence to prove that imagining the worst works: we thought it might happen, it didn’t happen, so therefore our thinking of it must have stopped it happening. None of which, rationally, is true. The worst didn’t happen because it seldom does; worrying about something that probably won’t happen is just unhelpful and undermines confidence. Learning from past experience and changing your thinking on this will remove a huge amount of anxiety and you will automatically feel more confident.</p> <p><strong>Overthinking</strong></p> <p>It’s one thing to be prepared but it can be unhelpful to overthink a situation, to focus on worst-case scenarios to the point where the idea of what could (but probably won’t) happen makes you so anxious, you won’t even try. There’s no point undermining your own confidence by persistently focusing on what can go wrong. Better, instead, to ensure you have done what you can, then let it go. Remember the times when the worst didn’t happen? That’s a far more accurate view of life, so focus on that. <img width="199" height="250" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/33457/i-want-to-be-confident-cvr_199x250.jpg" alt="I Want To Be Confident CVR" style="float: right;"/></p> <p><em><strong>This is an edited extract from I Want to be Confident by Harriet Griffey published by Hardie Grant Books RRP $19.99 and is available in stores nationally.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/12/5-tips-to-change-the-way-you-deal-negative-emotions/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 tips to change the way you deal negative emotions</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2017/01/tips-to-improve-your-memory/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Improve your memory with these 4 tips</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2017/01/getting-distracted-in-old-age-is-a-good-thing/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Getting distracted in old age is a good thing</strong></em></span></a></p> <p> </p>

Mind

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Is it just me or are good manners hard to find?

<p><em><strong>Rowan Rafferty and Jan Wild are a couple of baby boomers who describe themselves as rewired rather than retired; determined to grab this time of life with both hands. They blog at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.retirement-planning.info/" target="_blank">Retiring Not Shy</a></span> to inspire and encourage you to live your best possible retirement.</strong></em></p> <p><img width="219" height="170" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/22600/jan-and-rowan-retiring-not-shy_219x170.jpg" alt="Jan And Rowan Retiring Not Shy" style="float: left;"/></p> <p>I’m annoyed… and I don’t mind saying it.</p> <p>Why you might ask? Well, I seem to witness a lack of manners and courtesy on a regular basis.</p> <p>Maybe it’s because I have been bingeing on <em>Downton Abbey</em> where manners are considered essential, maybe it’s because last year we spent five weeks in France where the population is predominantly polite and quite formal. Or maybe it’s because I’m getting old and grumpy. I’m not sure, but grumpy I sure as hell am.</p> <p>I don’t expect anyone to attend Swiss Finishing School but I do expect common courtesy to be well, common. However, it’s seemingly increasingly rare, and its absence is not confined to any particular group. Sometimes you see acts of unexpected courtesy, extended gratuitously, which warm the heart… and other times…</p> <p>Recently we had someone coming around, following a big and quite expensive favour we had done them. A mutually convenient time was arranged and, as is usual in our household, we prepared to make them a coffee, procured biscuits and left our work spaces to await their arrival. After 20 minutes we began to wonder if something awful had happened – otherwise surely they would have called? But no, they arrived half an hour late, with no apology and when offered coffee said “oh no we just had one”… while we were waiting for them. Fair to say it wasn’t only our coffee that was steaming.</p> <p>I don’t know whether it is because people think that we are retired and have plenty of time on our hands, but even if that was the case (it’s not, we both work in our businesses) it is rude and inconsiderate. Even if we were only waiting for them to arrive and then leave so we could go to the beach, it is still our time and it is valuable.</p> <p><img width="524" height="295" src="http://retirement-planning.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Manners-800x450.jpg" alt="image" class="img-responsive" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>I also see a lack of manners in many small ways; people starting to eat at a private dinner whilst those serving the food are still in the kitchen. Whatever happened to waiting until everyone was seated? Is that too much to ask or have they not eaten for a week and will expire if they have to wait. And don’t even start me on talking with your mouth full; I know, I know that person has something so life-changing to say and you need to hear it NOW.</p> <p>We love our mobile phones but taking a mobile phone call when you have been invited to dinner? Why even take your mobile unless you are in the middle of a family emergency? It can wait!</p> <p>And it’s not just me that is being affected.</p> <p>Note the recent brave act by some cafe owners who have signs up basically saying “if you are on a mobile phone, we won’t take your order”. What makes someone think that other customers should wait while they finish a conversation?</p> <p>I recently attended a half day photography course and not surprisingly we were asked at the beginning to turn off our mobile phones. Nothing rude about that. The amazing thing was what the course leader then told us. It seemed that in the past the request to turn off mobiles had not been made. He recounted two incidents:</p> <ul> <li>A class attendee was (without permission) videoing the course content and told the course leader he should stop moving around so much as it was making it difficult to get the footage.</li> <li>A woman answered her phone when it rang, sat in the class room, continued her conversation and then asked the course leader to keep his voice down as she was trying to have a conversation.</li> </ul> <p>I also recall a friend telling us that she had invited some of her friends around for a meal and when the friend arrived she was accompanied by two sons. That was fine because it was an informal meal; what was not fine was that the two young men were shirtless. Sorry, not acceptable, even at a BBQ.</p> <p>You notice I haven’t even begun to describe the behaviour of some on our roads. I think there is another whole post in that (but fear not, I won’t bore you on that score).</p> <p>So what do you think, am I just intolerant? Are we becoming a rude and inconsiderate society? What displays of poor or very good manners have you witnessed lately?</p> <p><em>This article first appeared on <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.retirement-planning.info/" target="_blank">Retiring Not Shy</a></span>.</strong> Follow Rowan and Jan on <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/retiringnotshy/" target="_blank">Facebook here.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><strong><em>If you have a story or opinion to share, please get in touch at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/10/old-school-skills-that-are-dying/">6 old-schools skills that are dying</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/relationships/2016/06/steps-to-make-friends-after-60/">3 steps to make friends after 60</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/07/kids-today-will-never-do/">10 things kids of today will never do</a></strong></em></span></p>

Relationships

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What it means to be a woman in your 60s today

<p><em><strong>Gloria Kirkpatrick, 62, is a proud mum of three children in their 40s and proud nana of seven grandchildren. Her interests are family, friends, health, spirituality, art, internet and getting out and about.</strong></em> </p> <p><img width="178" height="247" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/22664/gloria-kirkpatrick_178x247.jpg" alt="Gloria Kirkpatrick" style="float: left;"/>Women in my age group (the 60s) are more with it and fun than people may think. My friends are fashion, skin care and makeup-conscious, health-conscious, have had much life experience, love their children and grandchildren, care about the world, still think and act young.</p> <p>We know so much more, thanks to the internet. We like to keep up with technology, world events, keep in touch with our extended family and friends via social media. We also see the negatives in technology and remember how we used to ring people more, sent cards and letters, visited each other more often. The internet is amazing and incredible, it is the people who abuse it that can make it ugly and frightening.</p> <p>Women today are more independent and stand up for themselves and are less likely to put up with being treated unfairly in all aspects of life. But we are still vulnerable and get hurt, feel scared of what’s around the corner, get lonely, cry, are easily hurt, miss our children who are grown up and have their own lives and often have moved far away.</p> <p>We hate the violence and constant swearing in movies and on TV and remember a time when TV shows and movies made you laugh and cry with emotion. I believe most people still enjoy a heartfelt movie with a good story and I hope Hollywood make more feel-good movies in the future.</p> <p>Personally I have empowered myself by reading about animal cruelty in all its forms and how society is very ignorant of the truth unless they look further into it. This goes for health, healthy food, natural remedies and climate change as well. Selfishness, our throw-away society and greed are slowly destroying the planet but the internet is giving us the power to educate ourselves, information is there at our fingertips. There is so much negativity and apathy, we all need to get positive and start changing the world together for the better, for the sake of our grandchildren and the generations to come – more people power, less control and brainwashing.</p> <p>Women are being abused and murdered daily and this is so abhorrent and hard to understand, I hope this changes with more education and stronger punishments for offenders. Outdated customs around the world need to change and be supported to protect women and children.</p> <p>On the lighter side being a woman is such fun, we have much more power than we used to and we speak up, crack jokes, have a drink, and men seem to love communicating with us more these days and even having us as a friend. We love being with other women – talking, laughing, crying. We love our men, appreciate and care for them but they have to reciprocate or we now have the power to just say goodbye.</p> <p>I am woman, hear me roar!</p> <p>Do you agree with Gloria’s thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em><strong>If you have an opinion to share, please get in touch at <a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/relationships/2016/05/female-friendships-the-key-to-making-life-changing-decisions/">Female friendships the key to making life-changing decisions</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/relationships/2015/08/unexpected-places-meet-someone/">7 unexpected places to meet someone</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/relationships/2016/06/steps-to-make-friends-after-60/">3 steps to make friends after 60</a></strong></em></span></p>

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