Time to throw in the towel.

[Hagar]

I'm beat. It's won, I lost. Maybe next year.

Just spent tonight cursing everything Astro in my life.

PHD is playing up big time.

Looks like the computer in the observatory is near dead.

Just lost a series of images yet to be worked on to God only knows where. I have used the search function and they seem to be gone.

New scope and I can't even get an image through it.

Camera just Iced up. -35 probably my fault.

Work is giving me industrial diarrhea.

Had the termite bloke back in yesterday, he found more of the mongrells, another $1000 bites the wood pulp.

Had a puncture in two tyres today.

Blisters on hands from digging around the house to poison the termites.

Found the termite colony in an old stump in the back of a rental property across the road, contacted the owner and he was kind enough to tell me if I wanted it killed I could kill it at my expense. Another $150. 180L of poison pumped into it.

Travelled 3000KM last week for work and private use and looks like this week will be more.

I think I could do with some time off, a money tree in the backyard might be handy also. I have told work I am having a week off, their not happy. Going to lock the observatory and have a break from it all.

I think it's time to step back smell the roses and of course cut the grass.

I am about as happy and relaxed as a labradore with an empty food bowl.

See you all soon.

[leon]

Know what you are saying Doug, enjoy some time away from it all, talk to soon.

leon

[Bassnut]

wow, I cant believe it, so much crap at once. Its a shame Doug, you seemed to have a passion for astro and have a good handle on it. Maybe youll get on top of things and change your mind, I hope so.

[danielsun]

Doug, sometimes it's good to have some time-out. That sounds like a bad week that just could'nt get any worse, I'm sure things can only get better from here.
Hang in there Mate.


Daniel.

[Liz]

'I think it's time to step back smell the roses and of course cut the grass'.


Ooh, those problems are not nice ... but as the guys have said, leave it all ... enjoy Xams and New Year and tackle it all in a month!!
Get rid of those damn termites though :mad2:

[AlexN]

Hope everything improves and we see you back soon Doug!!

[Hagar]

Thanks Guys. I/m not giving it away. It is just time to step back a bit. Maybe do a bit of flyfishing (my other passion) and open up the observatory when I feel I can go in and fix it all without getting to annoyed with it all.
Tomorrow morning I will order myself a new fishing boat, well sort of (Hobie fishing Kayak) with all the bells and whistles and might spend a bit more time on the water. With my luck lately it will have a hole in it or it will fall off the car.

Thanks again.

[danielsun]

:lol:

[stephenb]

Yeah, Doug, sometimes you need a break from things, and unlike what some people think, astronomy isn't the be-all and end-all of life. I haven't had the same frustrating run of luck that your outlined, but I too am leaving the hobby for soon to focus on other more enjoyable pursuits. All the best Doug. :thumbsup:

[TheDecepticon]

Good idea Doug! Sometimes you just need a breather! Have fun fishing and show us some piccies when you get back!:)

[Jeffkop]

Ide check the boat motor BEFORE you slide her off at the ramp Doug !!!!
To pinch a phrase from one of our "infamous" past ... Such Is Life.

See you here real soon.

[acropolite]

Is that the one with the pedal propulsion, saw one at the local marine outlet, they look like a lot of fun.

[sheeny]

:lol: Love your description! I fully appreciate it!

Sounds like a break is a good idea Doug.:thumbsup: Fly fishing sounds like a good contrast... whatever you do don't take it too seriously, and avoid the pressure to relax!;) (I must relax! I must relax! Damn fly! I must relax! Oh, yeah, good one, I caught a tree! I must relax!...:lol:)

If it isn't fun, don't do it.:)

Al.

[erick]

And the fish probably won't damn well bite, then it'll rain while you are on the water! Have fun, Doug :D







No, you'll have a superb time! :thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

I hear you Doug.
Stepping back from the hobby is a fine idea.
Doing it myself atm.

[Davros]

Sounds a lot like my life, I only get the rare opportunity to gaze upwards now and inevitable those clouds roll in. Enjoy the break and come on back with renewed passion. I think we all need a good astro camp to recharge the batteries. :thumbsup: My fly fishing gear has been collecting dust for years now i would hate to be on the receiving end of one of my 'casts' now. :P

[TrevorW]

Hey Dougie chill have a Corona on me !!!!

:drink:

[Jen]

:eyepop: Oh Douggy sounds like you have had one of those weeks :rolleyes: I can hear the words that wold have been coming out of that observatory from here :rofl::rofl:
Yeah kick back buddy have a bottle of scotch go fishing and enjoy some Douggy time, :P you have until March to get back into the swing of things for the Snake Valley camp wooohooooo ;)

Or if you get sick of your toys i will gladly take them off your hands :P :lol::lol:

[Miaplacidus]

Will someone PLEASE give that man a dob!

[multiweb]

Yeah Fly fishing is awesome. Did heaps with my dad as a kid. Mostly getting the ones stuck in tree branches though :lol: Sounds like you need to step back and take a relaxing break mate. :xmas: The stars will still be there. :)

[mick pinner]

since getting back in astronomy l have found the best thing for me is to plan my viewing/photography around the important things in my life and not the other way around. if l have a bad night under the stars l just go inside with the wife, makes me forget real quick. hope things improve Doug.

[Kevnool]

Geez Doug i thought i had a few probs.
Stand back enjoy the next pastime and we,ll catch ya soon on the flip side.
Cheers Kev.

[adman]

reminds me of the story about the stressed out high pressure executive who enrolled in a meditation course to learn how to relax. After a couple of sessions, he asked the instructor "I think this meditation stuff is working, but I feel like I need to do more. I want to relax better, I want to relax faster, I want to be on the cutting edge of relaxation...."

Hope things improve for you soon

Adam

[Lismore Bloke]

Could not agree more. When astronomy gives me the gripes I do the opposite of plan. Just dump the Dob outside, plug in the Nagler 22 and just scan the sky - no plan - just enjoy the night sky in the simplest way possible. The only thing better would be a pair of binos, a banana lounge and a glass of single malt. Cheers and best wishes. Paul.

[matt]

Yep.

Sometimes you just gotta walk away from what pains ya.

Fishing sounds like a good idea.

[mozzie]

doug and after all them probs theres still somebody worse off!!! have a good chrissy
mozie

[spacezebra]

Hi Doug

I hope that the ASAW Christmas Lunch gave you a good opportunity to chill. However I agree, give yourself a break and come back refreshed!

Cheers Petra d.

[gbeal]

What can I say? The time off will be good, and I know you will be back, it is just the way you are Doug. Every now and then I get the gripes with things that just don't seem to go right, but every night I keep coming back for more.
Fly-fishing will be the perfect accompaniment, even with the hole in the Hobie, LOL.
Like Marc said, the stars will be there when you return.
Gary

[Dave47tuc]

Many things are crap in life we have all had it bad at some stage or another. Comes with getting old I suppose.
The comments below are very much right. Doug pull the pin on all those cables get the eyepiece back in the scope and take a look at Mars and Saturn etc in real time, you will thank us for it.
Also give the dog a pat (she is so beautiful ) the missus a kiss and be thankful your alive.

chin up be happy and merry xmas and see you in the new year:thumbsup:

[DavidU]

Yes Doug, wave the wand around a bit, flog the water to foam and get a nice Rainbow.
(fish speak:lol:)

[kinetic]

Chin up big guy!:thumbsup:
If you're not enjoying it mate then give it away for a while....
3000ks huh.....well you didn't call in, we had a beer waiting for ya :D

Steve

[Ric]

Time for a Kit Kat Doug, as the ad says.

[lacad01]

Take it easy and have a good break :)

[Baron von Richthofen]

Never throw in the towel as long as you can do it, you don't know when you cant do it any more like me:confuse3: