Mike,
I've had some family issues lately, my Mom's health, and as you probably suspect, I've also been less then eager to post my thoughts and memories on this site or any other for quite some time. Between the economy and politics and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I've had a lot of my demons become more active and consequently, I've not been in a sharing mood. I know I need to post but sometimes when I try to explain what's inside of me, the poor results and the expected understanding by my audience is not there, so I just return to my island of singular persuasion, me against the world. Yes, I suppose I am too deep for my own good but I'm a survivor that has been alone for too long to change now. Australia still holds great memories for me from 1969 when I escaped Vietnam for a R & R visit to Sydney.
Semper Fi my friend
p.s. ... I forgot to say, thank you for the "Dash". How very true.